LEWISTON — Niagara coach Joe Mihalich said the bulky walking boot that Tyrone Lewis is wearing makes his injury look worse than it is, but didn’t sound confidant that the senior guard will be back on the court by the end of the week.
Lewis, who led Niagara in scoring and steals last season, was injured midway through the first half of Friday’s loss at Auburn, and was not in uniform for Tuesday’s home win over Drexel.
Citing HIPAA privacy laws, the Purple Eagles haven’t disclosed Lewis’ specific injury, but alluded to it be a bruise or a sprain near his Achilles tendon.
“I don’t know exactly what the injury is,” Mihalich said. “It’s a long word.”
Lewis wore a walking boot that extended to just below his left knee at Tuesday’s game. During warmups, he was asked when he’ll back be in action.
“Thursday,” he said.
“The boot looks really drastic, but I think it’s really precautionary,” Mihalich said. “He’s getting better all of the time. ... It’s not major; it’s not season-ending. It’s day to day.”
Niagara is scheduled to play games on Friday (vs. Howard), Saturday (vs. Central Florida) and Sunday (vs. Austin Peay) at the Glenn Wilkes Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla.
“We’ve got to be smart about this weekend,” Mihalich said. “It’s awfully tough not to do anything for a week and then run up and down the floor for three days.”
•••
Demetrius Williamson started in place of Lewis and played 36 minutes, tying Garrison for the team-high.
The 6-foot-6 swingman gave the Purple Eagles a lot of energy, but struggled when trying to create offense. He needed 15 shots to score eight points and didn’t go to the free throw line. His points came on a pair of assisted 3-pointers and a rebound dunk.
•••
Rob Garrison and Bilal Benn both said they could not fall asleep Monday night knowing they had to get up early to play the first home game of their final college basketball season.
Their younger teammates didn’t have as much trouble.
“Austin (Cooley) was my roommate, he was sleeping well all night, snoring a little,” Garrison said.
“I woke up at 2:40 (a.m.),” Benn said. “Then I woke up at 4:20, and then I woke up right before they called us, thinking I was late. I hopped up and I see Luuk (Kortekaas) under the covers. I said, ‘Luuk, get up.’ And he said, ‘Bilal, it’s only 5:30.’”
How much sleep did Mihalich manage?
“I usually sleep from May until the end of August,” he said.
•••
The 8 a.m. start time and ESPN broadcast didn’t effect turnout very much at the Gallagher Center.
The announced attendance was 2,261, about 150 more than last year’s season opener. That figure includes several empty seats in the season-ticket holder section, but also, an N-Zone jammed with students, some in purple pajamas and bath robes.
“I thought a big part of this win was the Gallagher Center,” Mihalich said. “Our students were just unbelievable. Our staff did a fantastic job filling the building.”
Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.
Sports
NU BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: Mihalich uncertain when Lewis will return
- Sports
-
-
Wolverines tame the Lions
Three Niagara Falls Wolverines players hit double-figures in Thursday’s 74-45 Niagara Frontier League boys basketball win over visiting Lockport on “Senior Night” in the Wolvearena.
-
Running miles for acres
Runners of all shapes and sizes will run 10 miles for 52 acres of land this weekend at the 2012 YMCA/Camp Kenan Y-10 race downtown.
-
Miller, Sabres blank the Bruins
With Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff nursing three broken ribs and watching from the press box, goalie Ryan Miller made 36 saves to earn his second shutout in three games in a 6-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
-
Roy-Hart swimmers dominated
Pictured are members of the Royalton-Hartland boys varsity swim team, which recently captured its sixth straight Niagara-Orleans League title and swept the annual league meet in Akron by winning every event. From left, first row, are Josh Beabout, Kurtis Parker, Roy Phipps and Zach Yates; second row, Cody Jones, Luke Brauer and Patrick Jones; third row, Jason Beabout and Lyle Wagner.
-
Syracuse beats Georgetown in OT, 64-61
Kris Joseph scored a career-high 29 points, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute of overtime, and No. 2 Syracuse beat 12th-ranked Georgetown 64-61 on Wednesday night to give coach Jim Boeheim his 880th career win.
-
Lions sweep Lewiston-Porter
It was a full moon and the vampires and werewolves were out in the Lady Lions Den.
-
Cotto training in Lockport
Professional boxer and World Boxing Organization Lightweight champion of the world Jose Miguel Cotto (32-2-1) has chosen Lockport as his training camp for his upcoming fight with Jose Luis Castillo (63-11-1) on March 24 in Houston Texas.
-
Roy-Hart dominates boys all-League swm meet
Undefeated (10-0) regular-season champion Royalton-Hartland dominated the competition Tuesday taking first place in all 11 events at the 2012 Niagara-Orleans League boys individual swim championships.
-
Ruff stuff
As if the Buffalo Sabres haven't endured enough injuries already this season. Add coach Lindy Ruff to the list.
-
Super Bowl draws record viewers on NBC
For the third consecutive year, the Super Bowl set a record as the most-watched television show in U.S. history.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Red Wings and Maple Leafs to Play at Big House
Parade for the New York Giants Super Bowl Champs
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Giants Beat Patriots 21-17 to Win Super Bowl
Manning Named Super Bowl MVP
Giants Beat Patriots in Super Bowl 46
Rodgers Wins AP MVP at 'NFL Honors'
Aaron Rodgers Wins AP NFL MVP
Martin, Five Others Elected to Football Hall
Brady, Manning Headline Super Bowl XLVI
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Rangers' Hamilton Confirms Alcohol Relapse
Goodell: Player Safety Is Top Priority
Coaches Update Injuries Ahead of Super Bowl
Pats Mesko Fulfills American Dream at Super Bowl
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Gronkowski's Ankle Still 'Day to Day'
Umenyiora Explains Missed Media Session
Fans Having a 'Super' Time in Indianapolis
