BOX SCORE NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. (Nov. 13, 2012) – A strong start to the second half proved to be the highlight for Saint Francis U in a 86-69 setback at Niagara on Tuesday night.  The Red Flash sleepwalked into the bandbox known as The Gallagher Center, falling behind by 21 by the intermission.
 
After opening the second period in a zone defense and a revamped rebounding effort, the Flash looked destined to rally, but the Purple Eagles (1-1) were able to regain control for the win in front of a raucous crowd of 1,714.
 
Antoine Mason led four Niagara double-digit scorers with 25 points.  Stephon Whyatt (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) dropped 23 off the bench for the Red Flash, with Ollie Jackson (Dallas, Texas/Pinkston ) chipping in 15 points.
 
Saint Francis scored the first six points of the second half before the string was broken up by a pair of free throws by Ameen Tanksley.  Through 11:54 mark, SFU outscored the Purple Eagles 22-9 during a stretch of improved defense and solid rebounding and chipped its deficit to eight (56-48) with 11 minutes to play.
 
The Flash out-rebounded Niagara 14-to-4 during the stretch after the Purple Eagles dominated to the tune of 29-to-11 in favor of Niagara in the first half.
 
“Anytime you get out-rebounded like that in the first half you don't give yourself a chance to win games,” said head coach Rob Krimmel.  “Our guys came back and played with some purpose in the second half and gave us a shot pull back into it.”
 
Niagara shot 51.6% (32-of-62) in the contest with the Flash shooting 41.4% (25-of-58).  The Eagles held a 45-to-34 edge on the boards.
 
The Red Flash came up empty on its first seven possessions of the game as Niagara built a 6-0 lead. 
 
Jackson hit a 3-pointer at the 16:28 mark to give the Flash its first points of the night and Saint Francis was able to pull back into the game, albeit briefly, tying the game at 8-8 at the 14:11 mark.  From there, the Purple Eagles stepped on the throttle to jump out to a commanding 45-24 halftime lead.
 
Antoine Mason and T.J. Kline tossed in 13 and 12, respectively, in the opening half to pace an NU offense that seemingly couldn't miss.  Through 20 minutes the Eagles converted on 17 of 34 (50.0%) field goal attempts, while the Flash hit on just 9 of its 26 attempts (34.6%).
 
The Red Flash is back in action on Friday when it visits Youngstown State for a 7:05 p.m. contest.