Senior David Brooks scored a game-high 25 points in a win over Yale.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Niagara University senior guard David Brooks scored 21 of his game-high 25 points in the second half to lead the Purple Eagles to a 96-60 non-conference win over Yale Wednesday night at the Gallagher Center.

Brooks, who hails from Philadelphia, scored Niagara’s first 21 points of the second half as the Purple Eagles built a 66-39 lead with 11:44 remaining after two Brooks’ free throws. Brooks’ 21 second-half points tie him with senior forward Juan Mendez (Montreal, Quebec) for the most points in half this season.

The Purple Eagles, now 5-2, had nine players score in the first half as they built a 45-31 lead. Niagara opened the game with a 15-1 run, capped by a three-point field goal by sophomore forward J.R. Duffey (Fort Worth, Texas). The Purple Eagles forced Yale (2-5) into committing nine first-half turnovers.

Brooks had the hot hand in the second half for Niagara as he made his first eight shots, including three three-pointers, from the field to go with two foul shots for his 21-point outburst.

Brooks was one of four Purple Eagles to make three three-pointers in the game as a total of seven Purple Eagles made a three-pointer in the contest. Niagara sank 16 three-pointers in the game. The 16 three-point field goals are the most Niagara has made in a game in the past five seasons.

Mendez recorded his second double-double of the season as he netted 16 points to go with 11 rebounds. Duffey scored 11 points.

Dominick Martin led Yale with 14 points and eight rebounds. Eric Flato added 10 points and five assists for the Bulldogs.

The Purple Eagles play the University at Buffalo Saturday at 7 p.m. at Alumni Arena.