RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Junior Tyrone Lewis (Levittown, Pa.) erupted for a career-high 31 points in a 68-49 road victory over Manhattan on Saturday. The 5-foot-11 guard matched a personal best with six three-pointers in the win.

Niagara (16-6, 7-3) grabbed sole possession of second place in the MAAC standings with a solid defensive effort. The Purple Eagles held the Jaspers (11-10, 5-6) to 29.6 percent shooting while collecting 13 steals.

Lewis, who set a career-high 27 points the last time he played in Draddy Gymnasium, connected on five of his first six three-points en route to a 20 point first half. The guard actually outscored Manhattan in the opening stanza, 20-19.

But the Purple Eagle defense was the key to the victory. Niagara forced four turnovers while nabbing four steals en route to an 11-0 start to the contest. Niagara led by as many as 28 and never trailed in the conference win.

"I thought our defense was really good at the start," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said. "(Saturday), we really jumped them defensively and our defense really turned into offense for us."

Junior Bilal Benn (Philadelphia, Pa.) scored 15 points while grabbing seven rebounds and a team-high four steals. Senior Benson Egemonye (Benin City, Nigeria) added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds in the win. His defense was pivotal in the paint and while he was only credited with one blocked shot, he altered many others.

Freshman Kashief Edwards (Philadelphia, Pa.) came off the bench to swat five of the team's nine blocked shots. Sophomore Anthony Neslon (Plainfield, N.J.) dished out nine assists in the win.

The Purple Eagles return to the hardwood on Monday evening for a 7:30 tip at Iona. That contest can be seen live on the Niagara Sports Network.