Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers Take Down Niagara Purple Eagles 76-63 Behind McEldon's 25 Points

The Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers took on the Niagara Purple Eagles at Knott Arena, and it was a decisive 76-63 victory for the home team, with Luke McEldon leading the charge with 25 points and 6 rebounds. This win marked the 13th victory of the season for Mount St. Mary's, who are now 13-15 overall, while Niagara fell to 7-20. The Mountaineers' 76 points were a significant improvement over their average of 69.6 points per game over their last 5 contests, where they had a 3-2 record. In that stretch, they had notable wins, including an 83-76 victory over Iona and a 72-65 win against Manhattan.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams scoring 31 points, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling second half. However, Mount St. Mary's came out strong in the second half, outscoring Niagara 45-32, led by McEldon's 14 second-half points. The Mountaineers' ability to pull away in the second half was a reflection of their recent form, where they had been averaging 69.6 points per game. Niagara, on the other hand, had been struggling, averaging only 61 points per game over their last 5 contests, and their 63 points in this game were not enough to overcome the Mountaineers' strong second-half performance. The Purple Eagles had shown some promise in their recent games, including a 70-68 win over Iona and a 65-56 victory against Canisius, but they were unable to sustain that level of performance against Mount St. Mary's.

The individual performances in this game were notable, with McEldon's 25 points and 6 rebounds leading the way for Mount St. Mary's. Arlandus Keyes also had a strong game, with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Abdou Khadre Kébé chipped in with 8 points and 10 rebounds. For Niagara, Josiah Sabino had 14 points and 8 rebounds, but it was not enough to lead his team to victory. Brian Griffith added 13 points, but the Purple Eagles' offense was unable to keep pace with the Mountaineers' in the second half. McEldon's ability to hit big shots and Keyes' all-around performance were key factors in Mount St. Mary's victory.

The CHD Scout had predicted a close game, with Mount St. Mary's winning by 5 points, but the actual margin of victory was 13 points. This discrepancy can be attributed to the Mountaineers' strong second-half performance, where they outscored Niagara by 13 points. The scout's prediction was based on the teams' recent trends, with Mount St. Mary's averaging 69.6 points per game and Niagara averaging 61 points per game over their last 5 contests. However, the Mountaineers' ability to exceed their average and Niagara's inability to keep pace were the key factors in the larger-than-expected margin of victory.

The CHD Scout's prediction was correct in terms of the winner, but the margin of victory was larger than expected. This can be attributed to the Mountaineers' strong defensive performance, which held Niagara to 32 points in the second half. The scout's model had taken into account the teams' recent trends, including Mount St. Mary's 3-2 record over their last 5 games and Niagara's 2-3 record over the same stretch. However, the model may not have fully accounted for the Mountaineers' ability to pull away in the second half, which was the key factor in their 13-point victory. The scout's prediction was based on a predicted score of 71-66, but the actual score was 76-63, with the Mountaineers exceeding their expected point total and Niagara falling short of theirs.

The victory for Mount St. Mary's marks a significant win in their quest to improve their tournament resume. With a current NET rank of 298, the Mountaineers are still a long shot to make the tournament, but this win over Niagara, who has a NET rank of 342, is a step in the right direction. The Mountaineers' recent form, including wins over Iona and Manhattan, has been promising, and this victory adds to their momentum. Niagara, on the other hand, is struggling to find consistency, and this loss is a setback in their efforts to improve their tournament chances. The Purple Eagles' 2-3 record over their last 5 games is a reflection of their inconsistent play, and they must find a way to string together some wins if they hope to make a push for the tournament.

The impact of this game on the tournament picture for both teams is significant. For Mount St. Mary's, the win improves their NET rank and adds to their quad 4 win total, which now stands at 4. While they are still a long shot to make the tournament, this win keeps them in the conversation. For Niagara, the loss is a setback, and their NET rank of 342 makes it unlikely that they will be able to make a push for the tournament. The Purple Eagles' quad 4 record is also 4, but their overall record and NET rank make it difficult for them to overcome. This game was a quad 4 game for both teams, and the outcome has real consequences for their tournament chances. The Mountaineers' ability to win this game and improve their resume is a reflection of their strength and resilience, and they want to build on this momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season.

The Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers' 76-63 victory over the Niagara Purple Eagles is a significant win for the team, and it marks a step in the right direction for their tournament chances. With a strong second-half performance and notable individual efforts from McEldon and Keyes, the Mountaineers were able to pull away from the Purple Eagles and secure a 13-point victory. As the season heads into its final stretch, this win is crucial for Mount St. Mary's, and they want to build on this momentum as they pursue a tournament berth. The team's recent form, including wins over Iona and Manhattan, has been promising, and this victory adds to their confidence and momentum. With 13 wins on the season, the Mountaineers are looking to finish strong and make a push for the tournament, and this win over Niagara is a key step in that process.

HEADLINE: Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers Take Down Niagara Purple Eagles 76-63 Behind McEldon's 25 Points SUBHEADLINE: Mount St. Mary's improves to 13-15 on the season, with a 3-2 record over their last 5 games, and a 13-point victory over Niagara, who falls to 7-20, with a 2-3 record over their last 5 contests, and a NET rank of 342.