The Buffalo News : Sports

A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida has cost the school any future sponsorship with adidas.

Christopher Johnson scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half, including a 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds remaining, and Division II Le Moyne stunned Syracuse 82-79 in an exhibition game Tuesday night.

Duke guard Nolan Smith will sit out two games because he played in an unsanctioned summer league.

Andrew Nicholson had 29 points and eight rebounds to lead St. Bonaventure to an 82-74 win over Mansfield in an exhibition game at the Reilly Center on Friday night. Nicholson was 10 of 12 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Jonathan Hall added 16 points and six assists for the Bonnies.

Special teams has been an issue for the University at Buffalo for most of this season and the unit, specifically the punt team, played a huge role in the Bulls' disappointing 30-29 loss to Bowling Green on Tuesday night.

For nearly three quarters, the University at Buffalo was close to accomplishing its main objective of keeping Bowling Green wide receiver Freddie Barnes in check. But great players stay in the background for only so long.

Andrew Nicholson had 29 points and eight rebounds to lead St. Bonaventure to an 82-74 win over Mansfield in an exhibition game at the Reilly Center on Friday night. Nicholson was 10 of 12 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Jonathan Hall added 16 points and six assists for the Bonnies.

• Niagara fell 30 minutes short of qualifying for the NCAA tournament, falling to Loyola, 3-2, in the MAAC tournament final. The game was played in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Brittany Benthin (Medina) and Adriana Gallo tallied for the Purple Eagles, who had a 2-0 lead at halftime. Benthin, goalie Ashleigh Bowers and Chiara Greco were all named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team.

Senior Chiara Greco assisted on the tying goal late in regulation and scored the game-winner in the ninth minute of overtime to give Niagara a 2-1 victory over Marist and a berth in today's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament championship game against Loyola at noon at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Andrew Nicholson had 29 points and eight rebounds to lead St. Bonaventure to an 82-74 win over Mansfield in an exhibition game at the Reilly Center on Friday night. Nicholson was 10 of 12 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Jonathan Hall added 16 points and six assists for the Bonnies.

A Niagara University basketball player charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest following a fight in a Main Street bar on Sunday will miss the opening game of the season Nov. 13.

• Niagara fell 30 minutes short of qualifying for the NCAA tournament, falling to Loyola, 3-2, in the MAAC tournament final. The game was played in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Brittany Benthin (Medina) and Adriana Gallo tallied for the Purple Eagles, who had a 2-0 lead at halftime. Benthin, goalie Ashleigh Bowers and Chiara Greco were all named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team.

Andrew Nicholson had 29 points and eight rebounds to lead St. Bonaventure to an 82-74 win over Mansfield in an exhibition game at the Reilly Center on Friday night. Nicholson was 10 of 12 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Jonathan Hall added 16 points and six assists for the Bonnies.

Senior Chiara Greco assisted on the tying goal late in regulation and scored the game-winner in the ninth minute of overtime to give Niagara a 2-1 victory over Marist and a berth in today's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament championship game against Loyola at noon at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Niagara was picked to finish second and Canisius was tabbed for seventh by the coaches in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason men's basketball poll. Also, Niagara's Bilal Benn and Tyrone Lewis were named to the preseason first-team all-league team, while Canisius' Frank Turner and Greg Logins were named to the third team. Siena was the choice to win its third consecutive league title. The Saints received nine of 10 first-place votes and 99 points overall. Niagara received 87 points and Rider 82 and the only other first-place vote. Rider is followed by Fairfield (67), Loyola (45), Saint Peter's (45), Canisius (43), Manhattan (40), Iona (30) and Marist (12).

Sometimes, that bye week comes at just the right time.

The University at Buffalo has been selected to finish third in the six-team East Division in the Mid-American Conference men's basketball preseason poll released Wednesday. UB senior guard Rodney Pierce (Hutch-Tech) was named to the All-MAC East preseason team.

Niagara was picked to finish second and Canisius was tabbed for seventh by the coaches in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason men's basketball poll. Also, Niagara's Bilal Benn and Tyrone Lewis were named to the preseason first-team all-league team, while Canisius' Frank Turner and Greg Logins were named to the third team. Siena was the choice to win its third consecutive league title. The Saints received nine of 10 first-place votes and 99 points overall. Niagara received 87 points and Rider 82 and the only other first-place vote. Rider is followed by Fairfield (67), Loyola (45), Saint Peter's (45), Canisius (43), Manhattan (40), Iona (30) and Marist (12).

Ohio State
• Doug Worthington, Sr. (St. Francis): A defensive lineman, Worthington has the best chance among the area's players to be selected in next spring's NFL draft. He's the top tackler among the defensive line with 29 and also has a sack and fumble recovery this season.

New Britain, Conn., home of Central Connecticut State University, is also the home of Stanley Works, makers of those familiar yellow-and-black tools that have become synonymous with durability and dependability.

A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida has cost the school any future sponsorship with adidas.