EL PASO, Texas - Five Niagara players reached double figures and the Purple Eagles scored 50 points in the paint in an 80-69 victory over Norfolk State at the Bank of the West Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Tuesday. Senior guard Tyrone Lewis (Levittown, Pa.) broke the 27-year-old steals record with his 219th career swipe in the victory.

Sophomore forward Kashief Edwards (Philadelphia, Pa.) set a new career high on his 21st birthday with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while senior Bilal Benn (Philadelphia, Pa.) had another all-around performance with a team-high 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Benn was named to the All-Tournament Team for his efforts in both contests.

"It's a good win for us after the emotional loss last night," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said. "We are proud of this win and overall, with all of the injuries that we have had, to be 9-5 is pretty good. Now it's MAAC time."

Lewis totaled four of the team's 17 steals on the night, needing just two to set the all-time mark held by Mike Phillips ('82). He broke the record in the first half on a steal at half court that resulted in a  fast-break layup. He finished the contest with 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Senior Rob Garrison (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) added 16 points and four steals and junior point guard Anthony Nelson (Plainfield, N.J.) scored 11 points and handed out six assists in the win while adding three steals.

The Purple Eagles (9-5) outscored the bigger Spartans (1-10) in the paint 50-38. NU also had 32 points off turnovers in the 11-point victory. Both totals are season-highs for Niagara.

Niagara (2-0 MAAC) returns to action in 2010 with the MAAC Doubleheader at HSBC Arena on Jan. 2 against Iona (0-2 MAAC). That contest will tip-off at 2 p.m. Then the Purple Eagles welcome Fairfield (2-0 MAAC) to the 'Taps' Gallagher Center on Monday Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.