College Basketball 3/7/10 MAAC Semifinals
Niagara Purple Eagles (18-14) (MAAC)-Fairfield Stags (21-9) (MAAC)

By Mark-Saturday, March 7th 2010 6:30 PM EST
Line-Niagara-2

Niagara and Iona fought to the final minutes before the Purple Eagles got a few defensive stops to grab a 68-64 win. It was a rather low scoring performance from Niagara but not all that surprising given Niagara's well documented shooting problems on the year. This game did nothing to change that trend as the team connected at a 31% clip which played a large role in the low score. Sloppy ball handling led to 18 turnovers as the veteran Purple Eagles looked as if they were effected more by the big stage than the younger Gaels. Tyrone Lewis tallied 21 and 10 with Bilal Benn also producing a double, double with 16 points and 11 pulls. Lewis played almost another entire game and leads the team in minutes and scoring but fatigue could be a factor in his 38% shooting on the year.

Fairfield took out a stubborn Canisius 67-57 to keep their title hopes alive. The Stags benefitted from the ejection of the Golden Griffins Frank Turner in the closing minutes in what was probably closer than the final score indicates. Canisius was obviously facing a near impossible task with one of the best players in the conference out and FF took full advantage. Derek Needham scored a game high 29 but he is also a streaky scorer that has trouble finding the range also as witnessed by his 38% effort from the floor on the year. Anthony Johnson left his mark on the game with 16 points but was hampered by foul trouble before fouling out. With Yorel Hawkins gone with a knee injury, Johnson is the Stags inside force and needs to stay in this one.

FF offense: 71 ppg 14 apg 37 rpg 43%
FF defense: 66 ppg 11 apg 35 rpg 42%
Niagara offense: 73 ppg 14 apg 37 rpg 41%
Niagara defense: 70 ppg 13 apg 41 rpg 42%

Niagara can make a return trip to the championship but need to speed the pace because Fairfield doesn't run the floor extremely well. The Stags will have their best chance in a slower game with Johnson roaming the paint and Needham buzzing the perimeter. It's really tough going against the Purple Eagles in this spot but I'm looking at defense and a few points...