Senior James Reaves posted his seventh double-double of the season and second straight in a win over Rider Sunday afternoon.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – With all five starters scoring in double figures, the Niagara University men’s basketball recorded an 82-69 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory over Rider Sunday afternoon at the Gallagher Center.

The win avenged the Purple Eagles’ overtime loss last Sunday (Jan. 18) at Rider. The victory improves Niagara’s record to 12-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play.

Junior Juan Mendez (Montreal, Quebec) scored 24 points and blocked a career-high five shots (he also blocked five shots against Loyola, Dec. 5, 2002) to fuel the Niagara offense. Mendez sank 10 of 11 free throws as the Purple Eagles made 25 of 30 foul shots, including their first 15 attempts.

The Purple Eagles jumped out to a 40-23 halftime lead as Mendez scored 12 points and junior David Brooks (Philadelphia, Pa.) added nine. Senior James Reaves (Rochester/Edison Tech) and junior Alvin Cruz (Rio Pedras, Puerto Rico) scored eight and seven first-half points, respectively. Niagara made 14 of 25 field goals (56 percent) and limited Rider to only 9 of 26 (34.6 percent).

A three-point play by Cruz pushed the Purple Eagles’ lead to 22 points, 52-30, with 15:37 to play. Over the next six minutes, Rider responded with a 23-8 run to make it 60-53 on Robert Taylor’s drive and layup. The Broncs eventually cut the lead to five, 72-67, on a free throw by Steve Castleberry. Mendez then scored four-straight points to push the lead to nine, 76-67, and keep Rider at bay.

Reaves recorded with his seventh overall and second-straight double-double with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Brooks finished with 18 points while senior Tremmell Darden (Las Vegas) had 13 points. Cruz netted 11 points to go with a game-high eight assists. The last time Niagara had all five starters in double digits was Dec. 17, 2003, in a 107-98 overtime win vs. St. Bonaventure.

Jerry Johnson led Rider (10-7, 4-3) with 25 points, including six three-point field goals. Castleberry scored 14 points while Taylor had 11.

Niagara travels to the Big Apple Friday when it plays first place Manhattan at 7 p.m. in Draddy Gym.