NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men's basketball team (11-11, 4-6 MAAC) was defeated by the Rider Broncs (11-11, 4-6 MAAC), 62-61, on Sunday afternoon inside the 'Taps' Gallagher Center. 

Leading by one point, Rider's Novar Gadson tipped in a Ryan Thompson miss with five seconds left, and the Purple Eagles were unable to get a shot off in the final seconds. 

The Purple Eagles led by 10 points at halftime, but Rider shot 53.6 percent from the floor (15-for-28) after intermission, compared to NU's 32.1 percent (9-for-28).

"I have all the confidence in the world in these guys," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said. "We are one great win away from getting back on track. I thought we got it done (Sunday) without Tyrone, but we just couldn't finish it."

Tyrone Lewis missed his second-straight game with a bruised shoulder. The First Team All-MAAC performer also missed the first five games of the season with a foot injury.

Without Lewis, Niagara received a balanced scoring attack, as six players tallied at least six points. Demetrius Williamson led NU for the second-straight game with 17 points, while sophomore Austin Cooley tied a career high with 13 points and set a new personal best with seven rebounds in the loss.

Anthony Nelson tallied 11 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Bilal Benn added six points eight boards and six helpers. Rob Garrison scored eight points while Scooter Gillette added six points on 2-of-2 shooting in the first half.

The Purple Eagles fell behind 2-0 early, but never trailed in the first half after that. NU led by as many as 11 in the opening stanza, and dominated the glass 24-11, bringing a 35-25 lead into the break. After NU extended the lead to 40-29 on a 3-pointer by Williamson, Rider went on a 16-3 run to take a 45-43 lead with 13:17 remaining.

The lead changed hands six times after that, including the Purple Eagles regaining control 60-53 with 6:09 left, but the Broncs again bounced back and took their final lead of the game with five ticks on the clock.

The Purple Eagles travel across the Grand Island Bridges on Friday for a rivalry showdown against Canisius. The contest will air on ESPNU at 7 p.m.