Brown carries Niagara by Florida A&M;, 77-69

DAYTON, OHIO — Clif Brown’s career night made the NCAA play-in game feel less like a consolation prize. For Niagara, it felt like history.

The senior forward scored 32 points and made a career-high six three-point baskets Tuesday night, leading the Purple Eagles to a 77-69 victory over Florida A&M; in the play-in game.

Niagara (23-11) hadn’t won an NCAA tournament game since 1970. Even though this one fell under the heading of play-in, it felt like a breakthrough.

“Our first NCAA tournament win in 37 years,” Coach Joe Mihalich said. “It’s a little mark in the history book. No asterisk, as far as I’m concerned.”

The Purple Eagles will head to Chicago for a game Friday against Kansas, the top-seeded team in the West Regional. No play-in winner has gone on to knock off a No. 1 team. In fact, no team seeded 16th has beaten a No. 1. “We just look for the next task, keep moving, keep making history,” forward J.R. Duffey said.

Florida A&M; (21-14) didn’t have a way to stop Brown, who scored 24 points while the Purple Eagles pulled away in the second half.