Senior Casey Butler had 18 points and eight rebounds but it was not enough as Nichols (3-4) lost to Union (NY), 67-65, at the Land of Magic Classic in Daytona, Florida.
Nichols held a 41-28 halftime lead as the Bison shot an amazing 54.8 percent from the field and went 6-for-12 from the 3-point line. In the second-half the Bison went cold and committed 17 turnovers as Union mounted a comeback.
Along with Butler, sophomore Chris Vallee played well as he notched a double-double with 10 rebounds and 13 points. Freshman Greg Sturdahl added 10 points and six rebounds.
Union (N.Y.) vs Nichols (Mass.) 12-29-05 3 p.m. at Daytona Beach, Fla. (ICI Center) UNION (N.Y.) 67, NICHOLS (MASS.) 65 UNION (N.Y.) (6-3) Brian Scordato 5-10 4-4 16; Steve Madej 6-14 0-0 15; Joseph Mackey 3-9 1-1 10; John Cagianello 4-13 1-3 10; Jim Rahill 2-5 0-0 5; Kyle Grimm 2-7 0-0 4; Darcy Bonner 2-7 0-0 4; Drew Desmarais 1-3 1-2 3; Deion McAllister 0-1 0-0 0; Rob Futia 0-2 0-0 0; Trip Botsford 0-1 0-0 0; Nick Ciresi 0-2 0-0 0; Chris Murphy 0-8 0-0 0. Totals 25-82 7-10 67. NICHOLS (MASS.) (3-4) Casey Butler 7-13 1-2 18; Chris Vallee 3-10 6-7 13; Greg Sturdahl 4-9 1-2 10; Justin Lewis 5-8 0-3 10; Jeff Lindgren 2-7 3-3 9; Ron Powers 2-2 0-2 5; Scott LaTorra 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-50 11-19 65. Union (N.Y.).................. 28 39 - 67 Nichols (Mass.)............... 41 24 - 65 3-point goals-Union (N.Y.) 10-39 (Joseph Mackey 3-9; Steve Madej 3-9; Brian Scordato 2-5; John Cagianello 1-6; Jim Rahill 1-3; Rob Futia 0-1; Nick Ciresi 0-2; Chris Murphy 0-3; Drew Desmarais 0-1), Nichols (Mass.) 8-19 (Casey Butler 3-5; Jeff Lindgren 2-6; Chris Vallee 1-3; Ron Powers 1-1; Greg Sturdahl 1-3; Scott LaTorra 0-1). Fouled out--Union (N.Y.)-None, Nichols (Mass.)-None. Rebounds-Union (N.Y.) 51 (Kyle Grimm 8), Nichols (Mass.) 45 (Chris Vallee 10). Assists-Union (N.Y.) 19 (Chris Murphy 5), Nichols (Mass.) 12 (Casey Butler 3; Greg Sturdahl 3). Total fouls-Union (N.Y.) 18, Nichols (Mass.) 8. A-43