NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men's basketball team (14-5, 5-2) had all five starters in double figures in an 84-70 victory over Rider (9-8, 4-3) on Saturday in front of 2,025 fans at the 'Taps' Gallagher Center. In a game of spurts, it was a six-point stretch by junior guard Rob Garrison (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) in the final minutes that pushed the Purple Eagles into the victory column.

With Niagara clinging to a 69-66 lead with 3:42 to play, Garrison corralled an offensive rebound underneath the basket and flipped the ball in the air for a second-chance bucket. One minute later, with two seconds on the shot clock, sophomore Anthony Nelson (Plainfield, N.J.) found an open Garrison in the corner off an inbounds play, and the Niagara Falls native converted a four-point play, pushing the lead to 75-66.

"It always feels good to contribute to a win," Garrison said. "To be able to help out down the stretch like that, makes it feel extra special."

The Purple Eagles jumped out to a 15-4 lead through the first 5:30 minutes of play. Niagara knocked down three triples in the opening run that was punctuated with a Benson Egemonye (Benin City, Nigeria) slam. The 6-foot-10 center tallied a game-high 20 points while grabbing eight rebounds.

Niagara led throughout the first half and took a 36-33 lead into the break. Rider took a four-point lead three minutes into the half, but the Purple Eagles responded with a 13-0 run to take a 57-44 lead, never looking back.

Juniors Tyrone Lewis (Levittown, Pa.) and Bilal Benn (Philadelphia, Pa.) each scored 15 points in the win. Lewis had a pair of steals, two blocks and two assists while Benn recorded his second-straight double-double with 10 rebounds.

In the 500th game inside the legendary 'Taps' Gallagher Center, the purple crowd got the full Nelson. Nelson finished the game with 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. All 10 of his points came in the second half.

Junior Demetrius Williamson (Chicago, Ill.) narrowly missed reaching double figures with nine points. In Niagara's last home win, Williamson tallied 11 points, marking the first time under head coach Joe Mihalich that the Purple Eagles had six players in double figures.

The Purple Eagles travel to Albany, N.Y. for a matchup with MAAC leader Siena on Saturday. The contest, which airs live on MAAC TV, will tip at noon.