In a shocking turn of events, Niagara traveled to the Koessler Athletic Center and handed Canisius a devastating 59-54 loss, pulling off a significant upset. The Purple Eagles, ranked 351 in the net rankings, took down the Golden Griffins, who sat at 343, in a game that will have major implications for both teams' resumes. Bryan Ndjonga's impressive 13-point, 11-rebound performance for Canisius was not enough to overcome Justin Page's 19-point outburst for Niagara.
The first half belonged to Niagara, as they built a six-point lead by halftime, 34-28. The Purple Eagles' strong shooting and aggressive defense allowed them to dictate the pace of the game, leaving Canisius struggling to find their footing. However, the Golden Griffins regrouped in the second half, with Ndjonga and Mike Evbagharu leading the charge. Evbagharu added 12 points and 6 rebounds, while Kahlil Singleton chipped in with 11 points, but their efforts ultimately fell short.
Despite being outscored 26-25 in the second half, Niagara's early lead was the difference-maker. Page's clutch shooting and the team's overall resilience allowed them to withstand Canisius' late push. Trenton Walters and Landon Williams provided crucial support for the Purple Eagles, scoring 9 and 7 points, respectively, to help seal the win.
This upset victory is a monumental result for Niagara, who were expected to struggle against their opponents. Without a pre-game prediction to gauge expectations, the Purple Eagles' performance came as a surprise to many. The win will undoubtedly boost their confidence and provide a much-needed morale lift as they continue their season.
For Canisius, this loss is a significant setback, particularly given the Quadrant 4 designation of the game. Dropping a contest to a team ranked below them will not help their tournament chances, and they must regroup quickly to get back on track. On the other hand, Niagara's victory, although still a Quadrant 4 win, will be a valuable addition to their resume, demonstrating their ability to compete against and beat teams above them in the rankings.
As the season progresses, this result will be closely examined by tournament committees, and its impact on both teams' postseason aspirations will be significant. For now, Niagara can bask in the glory of their upset win, while Canisius must reassess and refocus to avoid further setbacks. The implications of this game will be felt for weeks to come, and it will be interesting to see how both teams respond to this pivotal matchup.