Daemen Escapes with Slim Victory Over Urbana
Blue Knights suffer first setback of 2008
AMHERST, N.Y. (Jan. 4, 2008) – After more than a three week break since its last game, Urbana opened strong against Daemen College Friday night at Lumsden Gymnasium. The Blue Knights outscored the Wildcats, 20-4, in the first seven minutes, and led for 34 minutes of the game, but fell 72-70 to Daemen.

Urbana led by as much as 16 points in the opening minutes of the first half, after freshman Robert Jackson sank a jumper to make it 20-4 with 12:32 to play in the first half. The Wildcats slowly chipped away at the lead and eventually cut it to a one-point deficit at the half, 34-33.

The Blue Knights opened the second half with a strong showing and led by as many as eight, 55-47, with 11:30 to play. The Wildcats took the lead for good at the 5:28 mark on a Jonathan Smith jumper to make it 61-60. Daemen would not relinquish its lead the rest of the game. Chris Gardner hit a jumper at the buzzer to cut the lead to the final, of 72-70.

The Blue Knights shot a season-high 49.3 percent from the field, despite not making a single three-point attempt (0-for-10).

Junior Dorian Hoover led Urbana with 17 points and eight rebounds. Senior Harold Haynes added 14 points, five rebounds and three steals. Jackson had a career-high 13 rebounds.

Urbana (1-10) plays at Wilberforce in its American Mideast Conference opener this Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 8 p.m.

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