NCAAB · Final

Niagara Dominates Houghton in Convincing Win

Saturday, December 20, 2025, 1:00 PM ET · Gallagher Center

Niagara Purple Eagles 81, Houghton Highlanders 58, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Houghton Highlanders vs Niagara Purple Eagles?

Niagara Purple Eagles beat Houghton Highlanders 81-58 at Gallagher Center on December 20, 2025.

In a decisive victory, the Niagara Purple Eagles defeated the Houghton Highlanders 81-58 at the Gallagher Center. This match was particularly significant as it marked a turnaround for Niagara, who had been struggling with a recent losing streak. Prior to this game, the Purple Eagles had lost eight consecutive matches, a streak that had significantly impacted their season. With this win, they improved their home record to 2-1, while Houghton fell to 0-2 in away games.

Niagara's recent form had been concerning, with a record of 2-8 over their last ten games, averaging 60.9 points scored and allowing 75.9 points per game. Their last five games were particularly tough, where they averaged just 58.8 points while conceding 77.8. Despite these struggles, they managed to turn the tide against Houghton, showcasing a more potent offense and a tighter defense.

Houghton, on the other hand, entered the game with a record of 0-2 in their last two outings, having lost both games by significant margins. Their average scoring was 63.5 points, but they allowed an alarming average of 94.0 points per game during this stretch. Their previous meeting with Niagara on November 4, 2024, had ended in a heavy defeat, with Houghton losing 100-65. This match continued the trend of struggles for the Highlanders against the Purple Eagles.

In terms of individual performances, Niagara's scoring was led by a series of strong plays in the second half. Key moments included a 25-foot three-point jumper from Justin Hawkins, which extended their lead to 73-54, and a series of layups from Brian Griffith and AJ McBride that further solidified their advantage. Houghton managed to keep pace early but ultimately could not match Niagara's intensity and execution as the game progressed.

The game was played under favorable conditions at the Gallagher Center, providing a solid home-court advantage for Niagara. The Purple Eagles capitalized on this, demonstrating a significant improvement in their play, particularly in the second half where they outscored Houghton decisively.

The betting market had favored Niagara heavily, with a home win probability of 1.0, reflecting the expectations surrounding their performance in this fixture. The odds from the provider indicated a strong belief that Niagara would secure the win, and they did not disappoint their supporters.

As for injuries, the block did not provide specific details on player availability, but it is clear that both teams were eager to put forth their best lineup in a game that had significant implications for their respective seasons.

Overall, this game served as a critical juncture for the Niagara Purple Eagles, who will look to build on this performance as they seek to improve their season record. For Houghton, the loss highlights ongoing challenges that they must address if they hope to find success in upcoming games.

Leaders

PointsJustin Hawkins16Niagara Purple Eagles
AssistsBrian Griffith5Niagara Purple Eagles
ReboundsLandon Williams7Niagara Purple Eagles
PointsLou Bellamy21Houghton Highlanders
AssistsLou Bellamy5Houghton Highlanders
ReboundsDonovan Loudermill5Houghton Highlanders

Recent form

Niagara Purple Eagles

Last 10: 2-8Streak L860.9 scored · 75.9 allowed per game1-1 at home

L58-84at VCU RamsDec 16
L73-81at Morgan State BearsDec 13
L43-71at Saint Peter's PeacocksDec 7
L54-83at Siena SaintsDec 6
L66-70vs Detroit Mercy TitansNov 29
L70-80at Howard BisonNov 22
L42-100at Duke Blue DevilsNov 22
L68-74at Le Moyne DolphinsNov 18
W68-57vs Delaware State HornetsNov 10
W67-59at Binghamton BearcatsNov 8

Houghton Highlanders

Last 2: 0-2Streak L263.5 scored · 94 allowed per game0-2 away

L62-88at Mercyhurst LakersNov 9
L65-100at Niagara Purple EaglesNov 4

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Merrimack	23-11	-	17-3
Saint Peter's	17-12	3	14-6
Siena	23-12	4	13-7
Marist	19-12	5	12-8
Quinnipiac	19-13	5	12-8
Fairfield	21-13	6	11-9
Mount St. Mary's	15-17	6	11-9
Iona	18-14	7	10-10
Sacred Heart	14-19	8	9-11
Manhattan	12-20	9	8-12
Canisius	10-21	12	5-15
Niagara	8-22	12	5-15
Rider	4-25	14	3-17

Box score

Stat	Houghton Highlanders	Niagara Purple Eagles
Field goals	24-52	34-62
Field goal %	46	55
Three-pointers	4-21	5-20
Three-point %	19	25
Free throws	6-8	8-9
Free throw %	75	89
Rebounds	20	36
Offensive rebounds	5	13
Defensive rebounds	15	23
Assists	12	20
Steals	9	7
Blocks	0	5
Turnovers	14	10
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	12	16
Fast-break points	7	6
Points in the paint	32	58
Fouls	7	9
Largest lead	0	24
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	99

How the scoring went

2nd Half23-41Donovan Loudermill makes 26-foot three point jumper (Lou Bellamy assists)
2nd Half23-42Will Shortt makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half26-42Donovan Loudermill makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot (Tyson Clark assists)
2nd Half26-43Justin Hawkins makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half26-44Justin Hawkins makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half29-44Zach Sisson makes 30-foot three point jumper (Tyson Clark assists)
2nd Half29-45Justin Hawkins makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half29-46Justin Hawkins makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half31-46Tyson Clark makes driving layup
2nd Half31-48Kabeya Tshibangu makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half33-48Lou Bellamy makes 18-foot jumper (Tyson Clark assists)
2nd Half33-50Justin Page makes layup
2nd Half35-50Lou Bellamy makes layup
2nd Half36-50Lou Bellamy makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half36-52Brian Griffith makes 7-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half38-52Jake Verschoyle makes layup (Lou Bellamy assists)
2nd Half38-55Landon Williams makes 26-foot three point jumper (Brian Griffith assists)
2nd Half38-58Brian Griffith makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half41-58Donovan Loudermill makes 27-foot three point jumper (Lou Bellamy assists)
2nd Half41-59Drew Larson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half41-60Drew Larson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half43-60Tyson Clark makes layup (Jake Verschoyle assists)
2nd Half45-60Lou Bellamy makes layup
2nd Half46-60Lou Bellamy makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half48-60Jake Verschoyle makes layup
2nd Half48-62Kabeya Tshibangu makes layup (Justin Page assists)
2nd Half48-64Justin Page makes layup
2nd Half48-66Justin Page makes layup (Brian Griffith assists)
2nd Half50-66Lou Bellamy makes 12-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half50-68Justin Page makes layup
2nd Half52-68Donovan Loudermill makes 14-foot jumper
2nd Half52-70Justin Hawkins makes layup (Brian Griffith assists)
2nd Half54-70Lou Bellamy makes layup
2nd Half54-73Justin Hawkins makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kabeya Tshibangu assists)
2nd Half54-75Brian Griffith makes driving layup
2nd Half54-77AJ McBride makes driving layup
2nd Half56-77Tyson Clark makes layup
2nd Half56-79Drew Larson makes 4-foot dunk (Gael Dalmau assists)
2nd Half58-79Lou Bellamy makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half58-81Drew Larson makes layup (AJ McBride assists)

Win probability

Above the line favours Niagara Purple Eagles, below favours Houghton Highlanders.