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Ex-Ankeny star Bayless shines in Division I debut as Niagara falls at Maryland

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Monday’s game between Niagara and Maryland was played before a crowd of 10,715 at the Xfinity Center in College Park. It was part of the opening night of the college basketball season. Former Ankeny star Braxton Bayless (No. 4) had a team-high 14 points, six rebounds and six assists in the Purple Eagles’ 71-49 loss. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fiume/Niagara Athletics Communications)

Former Ankeny basketball standout Braxton Bayless made an impressive debut for Niagara.

The junior guard scored a team-high 14 points in the Purple Eagles’ 71-49 loss at Maryland in their season opener on Monday. He also had a team-high six rebounds and six assists.

Bayless made a buzzer-beating jumper at the end of the first half to cut the Terps’ lead to 34-27. Niagara pulled within 39-35 early in the second half before Maryland went on a 9-0 run to build a 48-35 advantage.

The Purple Eagles could get no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Bayless started the game and played a team-high 33 minutes. He went 7-for-12 from the field.

Bayless led Ankeny to the Class 4A state title as a senior in 2020. He then spent two seasons at Indian Hills Community College before transferring to Niagara.