PHILADELPHIA, PA. ? Monmouth University fell in a first-ever meeting with Niagara University, 71-48, in a 2008 Philly Hoop Group Classic contest on Friday afternoon, in the Palestra. With the loss, the Hawks, who fall to 0-6 on the season, will face NJIT on Saturday at noon.
Niagara (4-1), which opened 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, grabbed a 12-4 lead with 16:50 remaining, before threes from Mike Myers Keitt, Alex Nunner and Will Campbell gave the Hawks a 15-4 lead with 11:25 showing. Travis Taylor's layup off a feed from Dutch Gaitley, with 10:54 left, gave Monmouth a 17-4 edge.
After Niagara called a timeout, the Purple Eagles responded with a 14-0 run over the next 5:24 to coral a 28-17 lead. The Hawks, who went without a point for 6:11 of action, and 8:14 between field goals, fell behind 35-18 with 3:00 minutes left, and trailed 41-24 at the break.
The Purple Eagles notched the first five points of the second half to grab a 22-point lead, 46-24, with 18:04 showing, before Nick DelTufo's jump shot pulled the Hawks within 46-28 with 16:57 left.
Niagara, which led by 25 points, 59-34, on Demetrius Williamson's deep three-pointer, pushed the lead to 69-42 with 3:45 left.
Monmouth, which hit a season-low 28.1% from the field (18-for-64), was led by the freshmen duo of Myers Keitt and Taylor, who each netted eight points.
The Purple Eagles had three players in double-figures, paced by Garrison's 18 points.
