Niagara, whose season was disrupted 3 times resulting from Covid-19, didn’t play in opposition to Iona throughout the common season.

The Purple Eagles hadn’t performed since a 68-66 residence loss to Siena on February 21, whereas Marist (12-9, 10-9 MAAC) completed the common season on a three-game successful streak. The groups have been divided within the common season, with Niagara dropping 63-61 on January 1 and successful 86-72 on January 2, with each video games at Poughkeepsie. The 86-point explosion was the Eagles’ season excessive.

However their match within the match was a slog.

Raheem Solomon scored a excessive 17 factors for Niagara. Kobi Nwandu had 15 factors and Kratholm 10.

“The coach preached it is a one-game season now,” Nwandu stated. “It is March and we do not wish to go residence, so all we needed to do was exit and run. We weren’t actually frightened (the lengthy layoff). We have been simply completely happy to play, actually.

Marist middle Jordan Jones had 14 factors and 10 rebounds to guide 4 purple foxes in double digits.

Niagara opened the sport with a 19-7 run as Marist hit simply 2 of his first 14 photographs from the sector.

The Crimson Foxes went and not using a basket for almost eight minutes.

“Bringing our guys out with that sort of enthusiasm and vitality and togetherness,” stated Paulus, “(I am) actually pleased with them after a protracted layoff and wasn’t positive if we’d get this chance. or not, and I believed our staff actually benefited. ”