LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - Despite a combined 56 points from Charron Fisher (Pennsauken, N.J.) and Tyrone Lewis (Levittown, Pa.), the men's basketball team (14-8, 8-5 MAAC) fell to league-leading Rider (18-6, 11-2 MAAC), 80-76 on the road.

Trailing by two with 19 seconds remaining, the Purple Eagles called out a play for Lewis, who scored NU's last 10 points of the game. The Broncs jumped a screen and knocked the ball loose and, in a scramble for the ball, lost possession with 1.6 seconds left with a jump ball. Harris Mansell added two free throws for the final margin.

"They gambled a little bit and it paid off," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said. "They made a good defensive play on Tyrone.

"It was a terrific college basketball game, and we had our chances. We battled back and forth and they came out on top. Give all the credit in the world to them."

Fisher recorded a double-double with a game-high 30 points and 11 rebounds, while Lewis, who sank five three-pointers, chipped in with 26 markers. The totals marked the second-straight game that Fisher reached the 30-point plateau and the fourth time in six games that Lewis totaled at least 25.

Trailing 71-66 with 2:57 left in the contest, Lewis scored Niagara's next 10 points, including a four-point play with 1:01 left to pull the Purple Eagles to within two at 75-73.

Stanley Hodge (Washington, D.C.) added 13 points, seven boards and five assists for Niagara, while Anthony Nelson (Plainfield, N.J.) chipped in with three points, five caroms and five helpers.

Fisher scored 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting in the first half to help Niagara to a 37-36 lead. He finished with a career-high 13 field goals made.

The Purple Eagle defense held MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Jason Thompson in check throughout the first half. NU held Thompson off the scoreboard until a lay-up at the 6:12 mark. Those would be his only points of the half. He finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

Three other Broncs scored in double figures, including Ryan Thompson and Harris Mansell who each scored 16 points while Mike Ringgold added 14 markers.

Niagara continues its road trip with a Sunday matinee at Loyola. The contest can be viewed live on MAAC TV/MSG (local ch. 25) with a4 p.m. tip.