Senior James Reaves posted his sixth double-double of the season with game-highs of 17 points and 11 rebounds.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – As a result of closing the game with an 11-7 run, the Niagara University men’s basketball team picked up a 62-58 victory over Siena in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Friday night in front of 1,831 fans at the Gallagher Center.

Junior David Brooks (Philadelphia, Pa.), who finished with a game-high 17 points, scored four points in the game’s final 51 seconds to help fuel the run. Senior Tremmell Darden (Las Vegas, Nev.) broke loose for a dunk to snap a 51-51 tie with 80 seconds remaining. After Siena missed a shot, Darden took a pass from senior James Reaves (Rochester/Edison Tech) and hit Brooks for a layup and a 55-51 lead with 51 seconds remaining.

Niagara opened the game by making only one of its first 13 field goal attempts and that was a layup by Reaves. As a result of Niagara’s cold shooting, Siena opened an 11-2 lead after two free throws by Paul Williams. The Purple Eagles responded with a 24-13 run to take a 26-24 lead when Brooks hit a three-point field goal with 80 seconds left in the first half. Siena closed the half with a pair of baskets for a 28-26 lead.

Brooks again got the Purple Eagles started in the second half, scoring five of Niagara’s first seven points to give it a 33-30 lead. The Purple Eagles stretched the lead to six points, 40-34, after two free throws by junior Juan Mendez (Montreal, Quebec). Siena responded with a 12-2 run to take a 46-42 lead. Justin Miller, who had a team-high 14 points, scored four-straight points to give the Saints the 46-42 edge.

Niagara again answered Siena’s outburst and took a 51-50 lead when junior Alvin Cruz (Rio Pedras, Puerto Rico) hit a running shot on the fast break with 3:27 to play. Miller sank a foul shot with three minutes left, to tie the game at 51 and set up Niagara’s final push.

Reaves finished with his sixth double-double of the season as he scored 12 points and snared a game-high 11 rebounds. Mendez added 10 points and eight rbounds. Both players also added two blocked shots and two steals.

Niagara, now 11-5 overall and 5-2 in the MAAC, plays Rider at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Gallagher Center.