For Immediate Release: November 18, 2005
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

BU men's basketball falls to Niagara 71-56 in season opener
Niagara converts 23-of-25 free throws and pulls away in second half

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y. - Visiting Niagara put four players in double figures and converted 23-of-25 free throws to pull away from Binghamton 71-56 in a men's college basketball game Friday night. The two teams played their season opener in front of 4,073 fans at the Events Center.

The game was decided at the free throw line, where the Purple Eagles missed just twice in 25 trips, while the Bearcats shot a dismal 3-of-17, including 2-of-12 in the second half.

Niagara closed out the first half on a 14-4 run to carry a 34-24 lead into intermission. The visitors then used a 20-7 run early in the second half to put the game out of reach. Binghamton shot 58% from the floor in the final period but missed all-six three-point attempts and couldn't find comfort at the charity stripe.

"I thought their physical presence was discomforting for our guys," head coach Al Walker said. "I don't think we played anywhere near what we are capable of, but that was a result of us being physically overmatched in the post. We've got to make shots. We missed some free throws and all of the sudden, they're up 10. Niagara dominated the pace the play in the second half. Our margin of error right now is quite small."

Senior guard Andre Heard (Oklahoma City, Okla.) led BU with 16 points, 11 of which came in the first half. Heard made 7-of-14 shots from the floor and added five rebounds and three steals. Sophomore guard Mike Gordon (Plainfield, N.J.) added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Niagara had four players in double figures, led by sophomore guard Charron Fisher, who netted a game-high 20 points. Junior guard Lorenzo Miles made 11-of-12 free throws en route to 18 points. Junior forward Cliff Brown and senior forward James Mathis added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Binghamton plays at Mt. St. Mary's (Md.) Monday night. The Bearcats will then head to Norman, Oklahoma to face the sixth-ranked Sooners on Wednesday.