With the second-best three-point shooting team in the country making only one from deep in Niagara, Marist men’s basketball still fumbled late to lose 67-62 in a packed Gallagher Center.
“We missed a couple of very makable shots. We had one or two bad possessions. The crowd was so loud, it was hard to call a timeout,” said Marist head coach John Dunne.
The aforementioned Purple Eagles (10-9, 6-3 MAAC) went 1-9 from behind the arc but countered with 20 points from the free-throw line while limiting their turnovers to six. Sophomore forward Harlan Obioha led Niagara with 16 points and seven rebounds while senior guard Braxton Bayless’ only bucket in the second half nudged the Purple Eagles past Marist (9-8, 4-4 MAAC).
A career night of 17 points for sophomore forward Jaden Daughtry and another gritty performance from sophomore forward Max Allen II could not get the Red Foxes over the hump. Marist held a lead late, but turnovers plagued this young squad, and were unable to score in the closing moments.
“Sometimes in games like that you have to come up with a play. [Niagara] got a couple of easy buckets on some side balls screens, they attacked our coverage. I wish I could have that one back from a coaching standpoint,” said Dunne.
The Red Foxes came off a dramatic win over Siena with a game-winning bucket from sophomore forward Matt McCool in the final seconds. Niagara returned home after two consecutive road wins over Rider and Mount St. Mary’s.
Marist got a boost with sophomore guard Isaiah Brickner and junior forward Jackson Price being available off the bench.
Both teams started strong offensively, where the Purple Eagles drew fouls and made five foul shots. Obioha made his presence felt with an and-one bucket.
After the Red Foxes scored five straight, Niagara answered with three straight buckets, two coming off turnovers as the Purple Eagles led 15-13 with 11:46 remaining in the first half.
Allen II scored five straight Marist points with deft touch in the paint. A battle down low ensued as Obioha finished a thunderous slam over multiple Marist defenders. On the next possession, graduate student guard Randy Tucker gave Niagara their largest lead 24-18 with a back-door layup. The Purple Eagles shot efficiently on offense at 64 percent.
Allen II stayed patient on the block and created open looks finding senior guard Kam Farris who nailing a three-pointer to cut the Red Foxes’ deficit in half to trail 31-28. Farris went back-to-back with another three-pointer. However, Marist got into foul trouble with Allen II and Price both called for two, and Niagara in the bonus for much of the half.
Price canned the Red Foxes’ fifth three of the half with 20 seconds left. Bayless scored his tenth point in the waning seconds to give Niagara a 41-38 halftime lead.
At the half, the Purple Eagles finished 60 percent from the field and took advantage at the line going 12-15. The Red Foxes stayed close shooting 5-11 from deep while Allen II and Daughtry each had seven points.
“If we are going take the next step defensively, you need your gameplan discipline and you can’t foul. We’re a young group so it’s something we have to learn from,” said Dunne.
Lead guard Ahmad Henderson II scored only 4 points across 14 minutes and Niagara made only one three-pointer, but the Purple Eagles’ bench scored 20 points to provide a huge lift.
Marist took the lead back for the first time since the 12:55 mark in the first half after a cutting layup by freshman guard Jadin Collins. The Red Foxes forced a timeout after graduate student forward Javon Cooley picked off a pass and scored on the other end. Niagara started the second half shooting 1-8 and quickly relinquished their halftime lead.
Daughtry knocked in his second three to give the Red Foxes their largest lead of the game, 53-48. Obioha responded with an and-one and was up to 12 points. The seven-footer caused problems down low by drawing fouls. Daughtry finished a tough layup, reaching a new career high with 15 points.
“I thought he was under control, when he slows down he is very effective,” said Dunne.
Henderson II scored his first points of the second half to cut the deficit to three. Marist called timeout after a free Obioha dunk.
Graduate student guard Luke Bumbalough knocked down two free throws to retake the lead for Niagara. The Gallagher Center roared to life but Allen II silenced them with an inside score.
Bayless finished a floater to force a Marist timeout, now trailing 63-62 with 1:23 left in the game. Obioha finished a slam and Niagara led by three with 42 seconds left. Collins fumbled the ball on the next possession.
After a miss from Henderson II, Daughtry could not secure the rebound. With 13 seconds left, Niagara retained possession but turned the ball over with a backcourt violation.
With 10 seconds remaining, Collins’ inbound was intercepted and committed the Red Foxes’ 14th turnover, where 10 of them came in the second stanza. Niagara closed the game out on a 14-4 run to win their third straight. Bayless finished with 12 key points off the bench while Henderson II mustered only 10.
Marist scored four points in the last 6 minutes surrendering a five-point lead. The late-game execution was not present for the Red Foxes and they lost their poise making crucial mistakes to negate a strong second half.
“We play well on Sunday, we come home with a split and we’ll be okay. Just can’t let one loss turn into two, three, and four. Just got to have mental strength,” said Dunne.
The Red Foxes continue their time in Buffalo with a contest against Canisius on Sunday, January 26. Tipoff at Koessler Athletic Center is set for 1 p.m.
Edited by: Aidan Lavin
Photo Credit: Marist Athletics
Graphic: Ben Monrad
