Quinnipiac tops Niagara 85-71

HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) — Umar Shannon scored 16 points, helping a balanced Quinnipiac offense to an 85-71 win over Niagara on Saturday.

Quinnipiac (11-6, 6-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) never trailed in the game, jumping to a 41-27 halftime lead behind 11 first-half points from Zaid Hearst.

Niagara (5-14, 2-6) could not recover, trailing by as many as 19 in the second half.

Ike Azotam, Ousmane Drame and Hearst each had 14 points for the Bobcats. Shaq Shannon rounded out a balanced offensive attack from the Quinnipiac starters with 12 points.

Azotam grabbed 14 boards, Drame 10 and Hearst nine, as Quinnipiac built a 56-27 rebounding advantage.

Antoine Mason led the Purple Eagles with 28 points. Tahjere McCall had 14 and Rayvon Harris added 10.

Quinnipiac has won five of its last six contests while Niagara lost for the fifth time in its last six games.