POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Purple Eagles improved to 2-1 in the MAAC and 6-6 on the season with a win over Marist on Wednesday night at the McCann Center. The win gives Niagara a 7-6 edge in the series.

Junior guard Tremmell Darden (Las Vegas, NV) led four Purple Eagles in double figures with 24 points. Darden was 9-10 from the field including a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc. The three treys were a career-high for Darden who opened up the second half by scoring Niagara's first seven points and 12 of their first 18.

Niagara led 36-33 at the half, but they opened up the second half with a 13-4 run. Marist cut the lead to 63-60 with 5:27 left in the game, but that was as close as the Red Foxes would get. Sophomore guard Alvin Cruz (Rio Pedras, PR) then hit a three-pointer to bring the lead back to six for Niagara. Carl Hood of Marist missed a jumper and sophomore forward Juan Mendez (Montreal, PQ) brought down the rebound. Junior Forward James Reaves (Rochester, NY) then hit a jumper to put Marist away.

"We made them play honest," said Coach Mihalich. "We made shots from the perimeter, which forced them to guard that, opening up our big guys."

Reaves had a career-high 21 points and contributed key points down the stretch. He also grabbed nine rebounds. Cruz finished the game with a season-high 13 points, six rebounds and a career-high eight assists. Mendez recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Niagara's defense held the Red Foxes to 11.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

"We were lucky they missed some shots," said Mihalich. "Our defense forced them to take some tough shots."

Niagara returns to action on Friday January 10 when they travel Manhattan to face the Jaspers at 7:00 p.m. It is the final game of five straight away from the Gallagher Center for the Purple Eagles. They are 3-1 in that stretch and have won five of their last six.