NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Playing in front of a national television audience as part of ESPN's 24 Hours of College Basketball Tipoff Marathon, the Niagara men's basketball team (1-1) defeated Drexel (0-2), 76-69. The legendary 'Taps' Gallagher Center was rocking, as 2,261 fans packed the venue for an 8 a.m. tip.

The Purple Eagles used a 15-1 run midway through the first period to take control and never looked back en route to the victory. Seniors Bilal Benn (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Rob Garrison (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) led the way as every Purple Eagle scored at least four points.

"Without Tyrone Lewis and a short bench, I think this team took a giant step forward today," head coach Joe Mihalich said. The Purple Eagles were without last year's Defensive Player of the Year, who sat out with a foot injury.

With Niagara trailing 17-8 at the 13:08 mark, Garrison keyed the 15-1 run with eight points, including a driving left-handed lay-up to open the spurt and a long triple at the 9:37 mark when NU took the lead for good. The Purple Eagles rode the momentum from the enthusiastic crowd to take a 12-point lead at halftime.

Benn recorded his second double-double in as many games with 19 points and 14 rebounds. He now has 14 career double doubles. Garrison led all scorers with 20 points while adding six rebounds and three assists.

"The story today was Bilal and Rob," Mihalich said. "Both of them worked to the last whistle. They just would not let us lose this game."

Sophomore Kashief Edwards (Philadelphia, Pa.) and freshmen Eric Williams (Hope, B.C.) and Scooter Gillette (Philadelphia, Pa.) combined for 16 points and 17 rebounds in the victory. The big-man trio combined for zero points and three rebounds at Auburn in the season opener.

Senior Demetrius Williamson (Chiacgo, Ill.) started in place of Lewis and chipped in with eight points and four rebounds. Junior point guard Anthony Nelson (Plainfield, N.J.) added seven points and four caroms.

Sophomore Austin Cooley (Silver Spring, Md.) connected on a pair of clutch triples late in the second half, finishing 2-for-2 from behind the arc for six points off the bench.

Niagara outrebounded their opponent for the second-straight game, this time 48-43.

Niagara is back in action on Nov. 20, when they travel to Daytona Beach, Fla., take on Howard at 11 a.m. as part of the Glenn Wilkes Classic.

                                                   Post-Game Press Conference