Brian Clifford & Samantha (David) Little Named Niagara University's 2016 MAAC Honor Roll Inductees
MAAC Sports
Brian Clifford (1990-93) Niagara University
After sitting out his freshman season, the enthusiastic 6-foot-8 forward made the most of his opportunities over his three years of play, averaging a double-double in his sophomore and junior years, and leading the team to its then-best season since it began conference play as a senior.
Clifford saw the program blossom from a six-win program as freshman to a 23-win season as a senior, which are tied for the third most wins in program history.
Clifford led the team in rebounding all three seasons, averaging a career-best 10.3 points per game as a sophomore. He also led the team in scoring during his sophomore and junior seasons. As a senior, Clifford led Niagara to an 11-3 mark in league play, good for second in the circuit. With two MAAC Tournament wins, Niagara advanced to the conference final for the first time in history, dropping a 68-67 decision to Manhattan despite leading the game for the first 39 minutes and 57 seconds. Niagara was awarded its first postseason bid in six years and lost in the opening round of the 1993 NIT to Boston College.
Clifford was Niagara’s first two-time first-team All-MAAC selection, earning the honor as a junior and senior. He finished his career as the first Purple Eagle to surpass 1,000 points, 800 rebounds, 300 assists and 150 steals. Clifford was named to the 1993 MAAC All-Tournament Team and was the 1990-91 MAAC Rookie of the Year. He was an honorable mention 1991-92 All-East pick by Eastern Basketball. Clifford set his career scoring high with 30 points in an 86-68 win over Western Michigan in the Gallagher Center as a senior.
Samantha (David) Little (1989-93) Niagara University
Samantha David Little etched her name in the Niagara history book by becoming the program’s first MAAC Player of the Year during the 1992-93 season.
Little, a 5-foot-11 forward from Elmira, N.Y., holds the single-season scoring and points per game marks with 584 points and a 21.6 average, respectively, which was set as a senior during the 1992-93 season; Her 21.6 points per game were 10th in the nation. She also posted the program’s second-most field goals made (240) and field goals attempts (452) in a season.
Little earned MAAC Player of the Year, All-MAAC First Team, ECAC Second Team, Eastern Basketball Honorable Mention and MAAC All-Academic Team honors at the conclusion of the 1992-93 season.
Little finished her career with 1,476 points which rank sixth all-time and her 13.3 points per game rank eighth all-time. Little ranks in the top-10 with 718 rebounds (third), 599 field goals made (third), 222 steals (fifth), 274 free throws made (eighth) and a 48.3 field goal percentage (ninth).
David returned to Monteagle Ridge to serve as an assistant coach on the women’s basketball team from 2000-02. David gained entrance into the Niagara University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.
Already announced for the 2016 MAAC Basketball Honor Roll Class:
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Ron Foxcroft
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MAAC Honoree
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Les Lombardi
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MAAC Honoree
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Dr. Daniel P. Starr
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Canisius College
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Shauna (Geronzin) Green
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Canisius College
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Arthur “A.J.” Wynder
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Fairfield University
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Lisa Mikelic
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Fairfield University
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Kashif Hameed
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Iona College
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Sandie Capifali
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Iona College
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Bill Campion
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Manhattan College
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Stacey Jack Edwards
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Manhattan College
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Alan Tomidy
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Marist College
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Stacey (Dengler) Girard
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Marist College
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Corey Albano
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Monmouth University
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Michelle (Allen) Moss
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Monmouth University
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Brian Clifford
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Niagara University
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Samantha (David) Little
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Niagara University
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