Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
0-3
Niagara
2-0
Niagara Runs Past Bucknell Men, 90-71, in Rochester
11/29/2003 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 29, 2003
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - David Brooks scored 23 points to lead five Niagara players in double figures as the hot-shooting Purple Eagles sprinted to a 90-71 lead over Bucknell Saturday night at Blue Cross Arena.
Bucknell dropped its third straight to start a tough early-season schedule, while Niagara improved to 2-0.
Kevin Bettencourt tied his career high with 21 points and freshman Chris McNaughton tossed in a career high 14 on 5 of 7 shooting for Bucknell, but Niagara forced 22 Bison turnovers with its pressure defense.
Niagara lit it up from long range, making 11 of 27 3-point attempts, including eight in the first half. The Purple Eagles shot 70.0 percent (14-20) from the field in the second half.
Rochester native James Reaves had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Niagara, while Tremmell Darden and Alvin Cruz added 13 points each.
Niagara bombarded Bucknell with a barrage of 3-pointers early in the first half, scoring their first 15 points of the game from beyond the arc. Reaves' put-back gave the Purple Eagles a 30-19 lead with 6:20 left in the half.
Brooks had five treys en route to an 18-point first half, while Reaves had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. Niesz had 11 in the first half for the Bison.
Niesz's third 3-pointer of the half ended a 7:12 field goal drought and keyed a 10-0 Bison run that cut the margin to 30-29 with 3:30 left. But Niagara responded with a 16-1 run to close the half, Reaves had a three-point play and fastbreak dunk, Alvin Cruz had a steal and layup and Brooks made another long 3-pointer to restore Niagara's lead to double digits at 46-30 at the half.
Bucknell closed within 12 on McNaughton's layup with 17:06 remaining but could get no closer.
Matt Quinn had nine points and a team-high seven rebounds for the Bison, who were outrebounded 37-23, including 18-8 on the offensive glass. Bucknell shot a season-high 52.2 percent from the field.
The Bison return to action on Wednesday at Northwestern at 8 p.m. eastern.
