NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s basketball team (9-9, 4-3 MAAC) closed Sunday’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game against Rider University (10-7, 4-3) with a 21-11 run to record an 80-79 victory at Alumni Gym in Lawrenceville, N.J.

Freshman guard Tyrone Lewis (Levittown, Pa.) had a career- and team-high 23 points, including five in the late run, to pace the Purple Eagles. Junior forward Charron Fisher (Pennsauken, N.J.) added 22 points while senior forward Clif Brown (Ferndale, Mich.) added 21 points. Like Lewis, Fisher and Brown each added five points in the Purple Eagles’ late outburst.

Rider’s Jason Thompson sank two foul shots to give the Broncs a 68-59 lead with 7:42 to play. Lewis scored five-straight points to bring Niagara within four, 68-64, with 6:20 remaining. Brown then scored to tie the game, 70-70, at 3:13. Fisher converted a conventional three-point play to tie the game at 73 at 2:35. Brown scored again to give Niagara a 75-74 lead at 1:59. Junior guard Stanley Hodge (Washington, D.C.), who led Niagara with eight rebounds and five assists, sank two free throws at 1:23 to give Niagara a 77-76 lead.

Fisher made one free throw with 19 seconds left to give Niagara a 78-76 edge. After Rider missed a shot, senior guard Lorenzo Miles (Washington, D.C.) was fouled and he made two free throws for the 80-76 lead with nine seconds remaining. Thompson, who finished with 31 points and nine rebounds, sank a three-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.

After Fisher opened the game’s scoring, the Broncs answered with 14-straight points over the next three minutes to lead 14-2 with 16:20 to play in the first half. Niagara used an 11-4 run to come within five, 18-13, after Brown made a three-pointer. Rider held a 42-34 halftime lead.

In the second half, Rider took a 47-36 lead after Robbie Myers scored with 18:14 remaining. The Purple Eagles answered with a 14-6 run to come within three, 53-50, following a Lewis’ three-pointer with 14:07 left. Rider eventually built its lead back to nine, 68-59, on Thompson’ foul shots.

The Purple Eagles return to action Jan. 18 when they host Marist at 7 p.m. at the Gallagher Center.