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Canisius University Athletics

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Bryan Ndjonga drives to the basket in a home game against Fairfield on Jan. 2, 2026.
Anthony Militello
59
Winner Niagara Niag 5-12,2-5 MAAC
54
Canisius Canis 8-10,3-4 MAAC
Winner
Niagara Niag
5-12,2-5 MAAC
59
Final
54
Canisius Canis
8-10,3-4 MAAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Niagara Niag 34 25 59
Canisius Canis 28 26 54

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Comes Up Short Against Niagara

Niagara junior Justin Page scored a game-high 19 points and fellow junior Trenton Walters scored seven of his nine points in the game's second half as the visiting Purple Eagles defeated Canisius 59-54 in MAAC men's basketball action Wednesday night at the Koessler Athletic Center.
 
The win ended Niagara's three-game losing skid and improved the team to 5-12 overall and 2-5 in league play, while the Golden Griffins slipped to 8-10 overall and 3-4 in conference action with their second-straight loss.
 
Four Canisius players scored in double-figures in the loss, led by junior Bryan Ndjonga, who posted his first career double-double with 13 points and a career-best 10 rebounds. Junior Mike Evbagharu was good for 12 points and six boards, while junior Kahlil Singleton and graduate student Marcus Niblack chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively. For the game, Canisius shot just 32.7 percent from the field, including a 6-for-28 clip from 3-point land, while out-rebounding the Purple Eagles 39-31 for the contest.
 
In the game's opening 20:00 of play, Niagara shot 54.5 percent from the field and made 3-of-6 from long range to take a 34-28 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Purple Eagles stretched their lead to seven points at 39-32 with 17:00 left in the contest after Josiah Sobino converted a traditional three-point play. But those would be Niagara's last points for the next 4:37, as Canisius used an 8-0 run to take its first lead of the ball game at 40-39 with 13:27 showing on the clock. In that run, Singleton hit back-to-back 3-pointers, and Evbagharu's bucket in the paint put the home team in the lead.
 
That lead for Canisius, however, was short-lived as Niagara retook the advantage moments later to make the score 41-40. Over the next four-plus minutes, neither team led by more than two points before the Griffs used a 7-0 run to make the score 50-45 in favor of the home team with 7:39 remaining. In that run, Ndjonga accounted for five of the Griffs' seven points.
 
That lay-up by Ndjonga with 7:39 left on the game clock would be the Blue and Gold's last bucket for the next 6:45, and Niagara took advantage with 10-straight points to take a 55-50 lead with 3:39 remaining. A basket by Niblack and then two made free-throws by the guard trimmed Niagara's cushion to one at 55-54 with 51.4 seconds left, but Niagara sealed the victory by hitting four-straight free-throws in the game's closing 33 seconds to seal the victory.


 
GAME NOTES
• Wednesday was the 196th all-time meeting between the two rivals in a series that dates back to 1904-05. Niagara leads the series, 110-86.
• Wednesday's game marked the first time in series history that Canisius and Niagara met on Jan. 14.
• Wednesday's game was the 80th in series history decided by five points or less. Niagara is 46-34 in that portion of the series.
• Ndjonga has scored in double-figures in all eight of the Griffs' home games this season.
• Singleton finished the night with three makes from 3-point land. He has made multiple treys 10 times this season and 28 times in his career.
• Niblack recorded a game-high four steals in the losing effort. He has been credited with two-or more steals in three games this season.
 
UP NEXT
Canisius will close out its MAAC homestand on Saturday when the Griffs play host to defending MAAC champion Mount St. Mary's at the Koessler Athletic Center. Game time is set for noon, and the contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
Tickets for all Canisius home men's basketball games can be purchased online by CLICKING HERE. Tickets can also be purchased by phone by calling (716) 888-TIXX or in person at the Canisius ticket office, located in the Koessler Athletic Center lobby, during normal business hours and 90 minutes before tip-off on game day.
 
SUPPORT THE GRIFFS
CLICK HERE to Support the Men's Basketball Excellence Fund

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