PHILADELPHIA - In one of the most physical games of the year, the Niagara men's basketball team (8-2) defeated Drexel (2-4) 67-62, in front of a national television audience on Thursday evening on the Niagara Sports Network. The Purple Eagles out-rebounded the Dragons 7-2 and went 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the final five minutes of the win.

The victory gives Niagara its best 10-game start under head coach Joe Mihalich. NU's 8-2 record marks the best start in his 11-year tenure.

Despite getting out rebounded 52-35, Niagara executed its plays to perfection in the games final moments. The two teams traded punches, but it was the Purple Eagles who led for the final 7:14 of the contest.

"We did not play our best game (Thursday), but when it mattered most, we were the tougher team," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said. "It was an extremely physical game and we made the plays down the stretch."

With under a minute to go with NU clinging to a 63-62 lead, a pair of Purple Eagles missed lay-ups and Drexel's Evan Neisler grabbed the defensive rebound with 29 seconds left. The Dragon forward then shuffled his feet to turn the ball back over to Niagara.

Junior Tyrone Lewis (Levittown, Pa.) made a pair of free throws to extend the lead to three, and after a missed three-pointer and an errant lay-up by Drexel, senior Benson Egemonye (Benin City, Nigeria) grabbed his ninth and final rebound. The 6-foot-10 center connected on both free throws for the final 67-62 margin.

Lewis led three Purple Eagles in double figures with a game-high 22 points. He grabbed six rebounds and three steals while connecting on four three-pointers. Egemonye added 19 rebounds, nine boards (6 offensive) and three blocked shots.

Junior Bilal Benn (Philadelphia, Pa.) chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds. He made the team's only field goal in the final five minutes. Classmate Rob Garrison (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) recorded a team-high six assists, all coming in the second half. He also connected on a pair of free throws in the final three minutes of play.

Both teams shot 35 percent from the floor. The Purple Eagles, who entered the game seventh in the nation in steals, added eight thefts on the night, forcing 15 Drexel turnovers. Drexel took a 30-28 lead to the break, but Niagara took a 40-37 lead on a Lewis three-pointer at the 14:52 mark.

The Purple Eagles return to the hardwood on Dec. 23 at Big 4 rival St. Bonaventure for a 7 p.m. tilt.