NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Rivalry games seem to bring the best out in the Niagara men's basketball team. The Purple Eagles used a strong defensive effort throughout the contest to topple crosstown rival Canisius, 66-54, in front of a sold-out 'Taps' Gallagher Center on Friday night.

The Purple Eagles forced their rivals into 21 turnovers and converted that into 26 points in the victory. Niagara collected 10 steals and six different players combined for nine blocks.

But the defense really clamped down over the final 12:19 of the contest. Niagara took at 44-34 lead early in the first half, but Canisius rebounded with an 11-0 run to take a 45-44 lead at the 12:19 mark. From that point on, the Purple Eagles defense held the Golden Griffins to nine points on 4-of-15 shooting while forcing nine turnovers and blocking three shots.

A 3-pointer by Anthony Nelson from the top of the key at the 10-minute mark gave NU a 47-45 lead they would not relinquish. The Niagara win put both teams in a three-way tie for fifth place in the MAAC with 6-7 conference marks.

"It was very important that we took care of business (Friday night)," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said.

Senior guard Rob Garrison scored a game-high 18 points and his backcourt mate Nelson added 17 markers. Garrison tallied 15 points in the first half, and Nelson scored all 17 of his points after halftime.

Seniors Bilal Benn and Tyrone Lewis were both held below their scoring averages, but both guards stepped up their defensive efforts in the win. Benn collected four steals, equaling the entire Golden Griffin team total while collecting a game-best 11 rebounds. Lewis nabbed three steals and grabbed six rebounds in the win. Demetrius Williamson added seven points on 3-of-5 shooting.

The Purple Eagle bench also got into the mix on both ends of the floor. Austin Cooley scored eight points on 3-of-6 shooting, including connecting on a pair of triples. Kashief Edwards made his only field goal attempt, grabbed three rebounds and collected two blocks and an assist.

"It's hard to pick out one play," Mihalich added, "but when Kashief got the ball on the block and kicked it out to Austin for a three, that was huge. That's two bench guys right there really helping out."

That play that happened just seconds after Edwards gave NU a 49-45 lead with a pretty post-move. Cooley's triple put Niagara up 52-45 and the rest was history.

The Purple Eagles travel to Rider (6-7 MAAC) for another important conference tilt on Monday with a 7 p.m. tip.