NIAGARA UNIV. — Five Purple Eagles scored in double figures, led by Kahlil Dukes’ career-high 27 points, but a late push by the Purple Eagles fell short as they lost to the Monmouth Hawks, 90-83, on Saturday night.
A barrage of 3-pointers nearly erased a 14-point deficit in the last four minutes as Niagara connected on five 3-pointers to cut Monmouth’s lead to 88-83 with 33 seconds remaining. The Purple Eagles had a chance to trim the lead to two points twice in the final 20 seconds. Dukes’ 3-pointer rimmed out, which snapped a personal streak of four straight 3-pointers made, and James Towns missed a 3-pointer in the corner with 11 seconds remaining. Monmouth’s Austin Tilghman grabbed the rebound and converted two free throws with six seconds left to seal the game.
The Purple Eagles got off to a blistering start en route to building a 23-15 lead with 11:26 left in the first half. The Hawks reeled off a 14-3 run before NU tied the game at 29-29 with 5:49 remaining. Niagara trailed 35-33 with under three minutes remaining, but the Hawks went into halftime up 43-35.
NU stayed close with Monmouth throughout the second half. A 3-pointer by Matt Scott cut Monmouth’s lead to 66-62 with 7:48 on the clock, but another run by the Hawks pushed their lead to 78-64 with 4:44 remaining.
Kahlil Dukes poured in a career-high 27 points behind career-highs in field goals (10) and 3-pointers (seven). He also had four assists to rank second on the team. Dominic Robb had his second straight game with a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Robb added three blocks to his MAAC-leading total of 44. Matt Scott scored 13 points while leading NU in assists with six and in steals with two. Marvin Prochet scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Chris Barton added 12 points, including going 4-for-7 from the field.
Niagara’s 15 3-pointers are the most since draining 16 3-pointers at Oregon State to open the 2012-13 season. The 15 3-pointers are tied for third most in program history and are tied for the second most in the MAAC this season. Khalil Dukes went 7-for-10 from the 3-point line. His seven 3-pointers are tied for the most by a junior in program history, tying Daryl Greene’s seven against Siena on March 5, 2000, and are tied for fourth most in program history. This is the second time this season Niagara had five players score in double figures. Niagara was 15-for-30 from 3-pointers to shot 50 percent or better for the fifth time this season and second time in the last three games.
The Purple Eagles are back home on Monday against the Marist Red Foxes at 7 p.m. The game will air on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, WGR 550 AM and on the Niagara Sports Network via PurpleEagles.com.
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