Niagara defeats Houghton 81-58
Houghton 58, Niagara 81: A Statement Win in Gallagher Center
In a convincing display of dominance, the Niagara Purple Eagles took down their non-conference opponent, Houghton, 81-58 at home in front of a lively crowd at the Gallagher Center on Saturday evening.
The game got off to a blistering start for the Purple Eagles, who quickly pulled away from the visiting Knights. At halftime, Niagara held a commanding 41-20 lead, showcasing their strong team defense and efficient offense. The Knights struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 38% from the field in the first half.
Despite Houghton's valiant effort, the Purple Eagles continued to pour it on in the second half, expanding their lead to as many as 24 points. Lou Bellamy led the charge for Houghton with 21 points, but his team couldn't quite keep pace with Niagara's high-powered offense. Justin Hawkins paced the Purple Eagles with 16 points, including 55.6% shooting from the field.
The advanced statistics tell a similar story. Niagara's true shooting percentage of 61.4% was significantly higher than Houghton's 52.2%, indicating that the Purple Eagles' efficient offense was the difference-maker in this contest. Meanwhile, Niagara's eFG% of 58.9% and FT rate of 14.5% also stood out as key contributors to their victory.
The final margin of 23 points served as a statement win for Niagara, showcasing the team's depth and cohesion. The Purple Eagles' strong performance in all facets of the game was on full display, from their stingy defense to their potent offense.
As the teams prepare for their next matchup, it's clear that this game will be remembered as a significant statement win for Niagara. With their dominant performance, the Purple Eagles have made a strong case for themselves as one of the top teams in the league.
Game Stats:
Niagara (HOME)
* Field Goals: 34/62 (55.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 29/42 (69.0%)
* 3-Point FG: 5/20 (25.0%)
* Free Throws: 8/9 (89.0%)
* Rebounds: 36
* Assists: 20
* Turnovers: 10
* Steals: 7
* Blocks: 5
* Total Fouls: 9
Houghton (AWAY)
* Field Goals: 24/52 (46.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 20/31 (64.5%)
* 3-Point FG: 4/21 (19.0%)
* Free Throws: 6/8 (75.0%)
* Rebounds: 20
* Assists: 12
* Turnovers: 14
* Steals: 9
* Total Fouls: 7
Game Leaders:
Niagara
* Justin Hawkins - 16 pts, 1-2 3PT, 55.6% FG
* Landon Williams - 10 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast
* Brian Griffith - 14 pts, 5 ast, 4 reb
Houghton
* Lou Bellamy - 21 pts, 0-5 3PT, 50.0% FG
* Donovan Loudermill - 11 pts, 5 reb
* Lou Bellamy - 5 ast, 21 pts, 2 reb