NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Seniors Charron Fisher (Pennsauken, N.J.) and Stanley Hodge (Washington, D.C.) combined for 49 points in their final game inside the legendary 'Taps' Gallagher Center, propelling the Purple Eagles to an 87-63 victory over cross-town rival Canisius on Sunday. The victory secures the No. 3 seed in next week's MAAC Tournament.

Fisher finished the regular season with the nation's scoring lead, as his game-high 28 points gives him an average of 27.8 ppg heading into the postseason. Hodge tied his career high with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including three three-pointers.

"To coach people like these two guys, not players but people," head coach Joe Mihalich said, "I'm privileged. We have been through some bad times and some great times. Today was pretty emotional."

Trailing 17-15 with 12:50 remaining in the first half, the Purple Eagles went on a 17-2 run to pull ahead by 13 at the 4:53 mark. The Golden Griffins shot just 1-for-13 in the eight-minute stretch as the Niagara defense swarmed all over the court.

Canisius cut it to eight early in the second half, but the lead quickly escaladed to 20 at the 13:33 mark, where it would stay for the remainder of the contest.

Fisher scored eight-straight points in the first-half run, while Hodge added four in the second-half stretch.

"We have been through a lot together," Fisher said of his four-year classmate. "I told Stan before the game that we had to get the win today to finish strong."

"It has been a great season," Hodge explained, "but it's not over. We are focused because next week is tournament time."

While the seniors were the talk of the court, it was a total team effort in the season finale. Sophomore Tyrone Lewis (Levittown, Pa.) scored 16 points while Benson Egemonye (Benin City, Nigeria) scored 11 of his 15 in the first half. Freshman Anthony Nelson (Plainfield, N.J.) handed out six assist without a turnover in the win.

The bench provided a much needed spark in the first half, totaling seven points, including the first bucket of Chris Armstrong's (Queens, N.Y.) career. Andrew Patterson (Hartford, Conn.) and Demetrius Williamson (Chicago, Ill.) combined for five points in 37 minutes. Patterson made the play of the game, diving across the floor for a loose ball and flipping it to Egemonye for a thunderous jam.

The Purple Eagles will be the third seed in next week's tournament, which lands Niagara in the 3-6 game with Marist on 10 pm Saturday.