The Buffalo News : Sports

AUBURN, Ala. — Former professional wrestling announcer Gorilla Monsoon said on many occasions that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. (Updated: 11/14/09 12:30 AM )

LEWISTON — This is what Kourtney Brown does. (Updated: 11/13/09 11:20 PM )

Today's Big 4 men's games
(Updated: 11/13/09 12:49 AM )

For the Big 4 men's basketball programs Wednesday, the first day for signing national letters of intent was about playing the waiting game. (Updated: 11/12/09 8:50 AM )

Host Niagara took a 1-0 lead against No. 19 Massachusetts and entered the third period tied, 2-2, but the Minutemen scored twice within three minutes to win, 4-2, and keep the Purple Eagles from their first victory of the season. Egor Mironov opened the scoring for Niagara (0-7-1 overall), while Ryan Olidis had a goal and an assist. (Updated: 11/08/09 11:13 PM )

Cory Conacher scored on a penalty shot with 5:36 left to give Canisius a 4-3 victory over Mercyhurst at the Buffalo State Ice Arena and a sweep of its two-game weekend home-and-home series against the Lakers on Saturday night. Canisius (4-6, 3-3 AH) was awarded the penalty shot when a Mercyhurst defenseman closed his hand over the puck in the crease. (Updated: 11/08/09 12:11 AM )

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. (Updated: 11/06/09 11:59 PM )

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. (Updated: 11/05/09 1:54 AM )

• 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. (Updated: 11/02/09 11:10 PM )

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. (Updated: 11/02/09 1:04 AM )

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). (Updated: 10/28/09 8:41 AM )

What a difference a year can make. (Updated: 10/28/09 8:41 AM )

Niagara University, which advanced to the National Invitation Tournament last season, was picked to finish second by the coaches in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference while Canisius was picked to finish seventh in a poll released today. (Updated: 10/27/09 7:00 PM )

Canisius tied and Niagara lost its regular-season finale Sunday but both women's soccer teams are going to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament on Friday at Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Updated: 10/26/09 12:34 AM )

Niagara County Community College won three matches to earn the Western New York Athletic Conference championship in women's volleyvball. (Updated: 10/25/09 1:25 AM )