Niagara Upsets Iona in MAAC Men's Basketball Quarterfinals
MAAC Sports
ALBANY, N.Y. - Tyrone Lewis scored 21 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer, and added 10 rebounds as sixth-seeded Niagara knocked off third-seeded Iona 68-64 in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Citizens Bank MAAC Men's Basketball Championship on Saturday night.
Bilal Benn had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Purple Eagles (18-14), who will face second-seeded Fairfield, a 67-57 winner over Canisius, in Sunday's semifinals.
Scott Machado had 17 points and Alejo Rodriguez added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Gaels (21-10).
Niagara overcame a halftime deficit for only the second time this season.
After Lewis' 3-pointer gave Niagara a 56-54 lead with less than two minutes to go, the Purple Eagles clinched the win by hitting 12 of 14 foul shots in the final 1:25.
Niagara was 33 of 38 from the line (86.8 percent).
Iona cut the lead to 66-64 with six seconds left, but couldn't get any closer.