Lawrenceville, NJ- Niagara University beat Rider 74-68 in men's basketball at the Alumni Gymnasium in front of a crowd 1,426. The Purple Eagles improve to 9-8 overall (5-3 MAAC) while the Broncs fall to 6-11 (1-7 MAAC). Niagara has won four of the last six MAAC games.

Two Niagara players led the game in scoring. Tremmell Darden and Juan Mendez each had 20 points. Mendez also scored his 10th career double-double by grabbing 12 rebounds.

"We have had some bad luck this year," said Head Coach Joe Mihalich. "It feels good to finally have some luck on our side."

Niagara and Rider traded leads for much of the first half. Rider had a two point lead with 2:18 left in the first half when Mendez's lay-up tied the game at 32. With little over a minute left in the first, Alvin Cruz grabbed a rebound and dished the ball off to James Reaves to give Niagara a 34-32 lead going into the half.

In the second half Niagara never trailed. The biggest lead for the Purple Eagles was nine on four different occasions.

Cruz played a strong game all around for the Purple Eagles. The sophomore had 14 points, went four-for-five from the three point line and five-for-nine from the field. Cruz also had seven assists and grabbed three defensive rebounds.

"Cruz was one of our unsung heroes tonight," stated Mihalich. "Alvin played a great game. It seems he was putting away everything tonight."

The Broncs were led by Robert Taylor who had 17 points. Robert Reed and Laurence Young had 14 and 12 points respectively. Edwin Muniz made three-of-four shots from the foul line.

"They are a really young team," said Mihalich of Rider. "We started out 1-5 also. They have a very tough schedule. It seems they are in every game though."

Niagara will be at home for the next two games. The Purple Eagles will take on Manhattan on Friday at 7 pm and Iona on Sunday at 2 pm.