CORVALIS, Ore. – The Niagara men’s basketball team fell to the Oregon State Beavers, 102-83, in the 2K Sports Classic Regional Round to open the 2012-13 season on Friday.
“Obviously we were overmatched tonight,” head coach Joe Mihalich said. “We played a Pac-12 team that won 21 games and returned 4 starters. I was somewhat please with our offense, but disappointed with our defense. We have a lot of work to do on both end of the floor but especially on the defensive end.”
Niagara (0-1) relied heavily on the 3-pointer in an attempt to keep up with the highest scoring team in the PAC-12 last season. NU’s first five baskets were 3-pointers, including Malcolm Lemmons‘ triple to cut the lead to 23-18 with 10:54 left in the half. NU was 9-for 16 from behind the arc in the first half, but the Beavers (1-0) shot 61 percent from 3-pointers and 57 percent from the field in the half. OSU went on a late spurt late to take a 53-39 halftime lead.
Oregon State began to wear down the Purple Eagles in the second half with its size inside; OSU outscored NU 48-16 in the paint. Six players scored in double-figures, including all five starters.
Niagara finished the game shooting 47 percent from behind the arc (16-for-34). The 16 3-pointers were the most since NU drained 17 in a win versus Hartford on Nov. 29, 2008. Marvin Jordan led the Purple Eagles with five 3-pointers and had a team-high 17 points. Ameen Tanksley had four 3-pointers to account for his 12 points.
Reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year Juan’ya Green was one assist away from his first-ever double-double, scoring 14 points, dishing out nine assists and nabbing a game-high four steals. Fellow MAAC All-Rookie team member Antoine Mason had 10 points.
NU outscored OSU in bench points, 26-20, led by freshman T.J. Cline who had 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting, classmate Tahjere McCall with eight points and Lemmons with seven.
Niagara opens up its home schedule on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. against St. Francis (Pa.). For more ticket information, please contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-TIXX (8499), tickets@PurpleEagles.com or www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets.
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