Senior James Reaves recorded his 10th double-double of the season Thursday in a win over Loyola.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Niagara University won its 16th game of the year and registered its seventh 10-win season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 69-62 victory over Loyola Thursday night at the Gallagher Center.

The win was not an easy one over Loyola (1-23, 1-14 MAAC). Niagara (16-8, 10-5 MAAC) trailed 50-43 with 10:32 remaining after a three-point play by Loyola’s Charlie Bell. Niagara responded by scoring 13 of the game’s next 14 points. Junior Juan Mendez (Montreal, Quebec) scored six points during that run, which gave the Purple Eagles a 56-51 lead with 6:03 to play.

Fueling Niagara’s run was its defense, forcing three turnovers and holding Loyola without a field goal for five minutes.

Loyola cut the lead to four points, 63-59, and eventually three points, 65-62, but could not come any closer.

Leading the Purple Eagles’ offensive attack was junior David Brooks (Philadelphia, Pa.), who had 19 points, 11 coming in the first half. He was 4 of 8 from three-point range and moved into a tie for ninth with Michael Schmidt (2001-02) on the Niagara single-season three-point field goal chart.

Senior Tremmell Darden (Las Vegas, Nev.) added 15 points, 10 in the second half, while classmate James Reaves (Rochester/Edison Tech) posted his 10th double-double of the season and 27th of his career with 12 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Junior Alvin Cruz (Rio Pedras, Puerto Rico) had 11 points and a game-high six assists.

With the win, Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich recorded his 100th coaching win. He is the second-fastest Purple Eagle coach, behind the legendary Taps Gallagher, to record 100 wins.

Niagara returns to action Saturday when it hosts Saint Peter’s at 3 p.m. in the Gallagher Center.