Quinnipiac University
Niagara
QU Men's Basketball Upended in Double-Overtime at Niagara, 105-100
2/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LEWISTON, N.Y. – Evan Conti (Bayside, N.Y.) and Zaid Hearst (Bethesda, Md.) poured in 26 points apiece on Sunday afternoon, but the Quinnipiac University men's basketball team was stunned in double-overtime at Niagara, 105-100, at the Gallagher Center in upstate New York.
Quinnipiac put forth a valiant effort at the end of regulation to force overtime, capped off by a Hearst layup with 1.5 seconds left to tie the score. Quinnipiac and Niagara played even through the next five minutes, but the Purple Eagles managed to pull away in the second frame to claim the home triumph.
Conti and Hearst led a group of four Bobcats who finished with double digits offensively. The Bobcats shot 46.6 percent for the game but struggled to contain Niagara's offense, especially from long range. Niagara shot 47.8 percent from the field and knocked down 12 threes at a 54.5 percent clip (12-22).
Trailing by five with 3:29 remaining in regulation, Quinnipiac chipped away in the closing minutes to create a dramatic finish. Quinnipiac's charge came from the free-throw line where Ousmane Drame (Boston, Mass.), Hearst and Justin Harris (Paterson, N.J.) went 5-for-6 down the stretch to pull the Bobcats within two, 82-80, with 1:39 left.
Needing stops behind the ball, Quinnipiac made two huge defensive stands – the latter leaving Quinnipiac with a chance to tie or win with 12.4 seconds showing on the clock. After the timeout, Drame's initial shot rimmed out but Hearst's put-back dropped to tie the score at 82-82 with 1.5 seconds left. Niagara's last stitch effort was off the mark, sending the team's to overtime.
Each team scored 10 points in the first overtime, the key baskets coming from the free-throw line with 29 seconds left. Dominique Reid sank both of his attempts to tie the score at 92-92, and Quinnipiac failed to get a shot off on its final possession.
In the second overtime, Niagara's Cameron Fowler delivered the big blow with a deep three to put the hosts in front, 99-96, with 56 seconds left. Niagara kept the separation by going 6-for-6 from the free-throw line to seal the victory.
Fouls were frequent throughout the game, evidenced by a combined 64 free-throws for the game. Niagara went 29-for-35 from the stripe with Quinnipiac going 23-of-29.
Conti had his best shooting game of the season, connecting on 9-of-16 of his attempts including 5-of-9 from long range. He added eight rebounds and two assists as well. Hearst went 11-for-25 to go along with seven rebounds and an assist. Ayron Hutton (Virginia Beach, Va.) had eight points and four assists, James Ford, Jr. (Hopewell, Va.) finished with six points, and Dimitri Floras (Nashua, N.H.) had three wrapping up contributions from the guard position.
Drame battled foul trouble all game long, but still managed 17 points and five rebounds. Harris was the fourth player in double figures with 10 points and eight rebounds in a career high 44 minutes of play. Chaise Daniels (Meriden, Conn.) netted four points and grabbed six rebounds before fouling out.
Niagara, now 4-17 overall and 3-9 in league play, was led by Reid's 20 points. Ramone Snowden added 18 points and Emile Blackman had 17.
The first half of the game featured strong spurts from both sides. Quinnipiac's 10-2 run out of the gate was countered by a 9-0 run by Niagara, who extended its lead to 10 with 5:27 left before the break. Niagara hit seven of its 12 three-point attempts in the opening stanza.
Fortunately for the Bobcats, Conti and Hearst carried the load through the final five minutes, helping Quinnipiac close the half on a 14-6 run. Hearst had 13 at the break, Conti seven, and Quinnipiac trailed by two at halftime.
Quinnipiac plays five of the remaining eight games at home, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 5 against Monmouth. The Bobcats go for the regular season series sweep at 7 p.m. from the TD Bank Sports Center.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the 2014-15 campaign can call the QU Ticket Office at 203-582-3905, visit the official website of Quinnipiac athletics, www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com or make a trip to the TD Bank Sports Center Ticket Office.
Quinnipiac's 'Go For 3' package is still available throughout the remainder of the 2014-15 season. The package allows fans to purchase three men's basketball tickets at a special discounted rate. The 'Go For 3' bundle is $30 for adults and $12 for children and senior citizens.
Student-athletes, parents and fans can download the QU Athletics schedules to your laptop and mobile devices for free by clicking in the iCalendar link at the bottom of each sport's homepage or the master schedule page. Please follow Quinnipiac Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@QUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
