Kats Down No. 15 Niagara

The Erie Community College men's basketball team closed out its regular season with a 66-63 win at Niagara County Community College Friday evening. Niagara entered the game undefeated in region play and is ranked No. 15 in the latest NJCAA Division 2 poll.

The Kats trailed by as many as eight points in the first half before a pair of free throws by Nathan Severson gave Erie a 27-26 lead with 3:33 remaining in the half. It was a lead Erie would never relinquish.

Kelvin Reaves' three point basket with 14:11 remianing in the game gave Erie a 47-36 lead. The Thunderwolves would chip away and get the game to within a point twice. The final time came with 37 seconds left but free throws by David Harris pushed the lead back up to three and Niagara was unable to get the tying bucket.

Justin Morety led the Kats with 21 points and Severson added 11 points.

Erie is off until February 26 when it faces Monroe Community College in the semifinals of the Region 3 Tournament. The tournament will be played at Niagara.