NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men's basketball team dropped a 82-65 contest versus conference foe the Rider Broncs on Friday at the Gallagher Center on ESPNU. Freshman guard Marvin Jordan led the Purple Eagles in scoring with a career-high 18 points.

"We made some mistakes that are just unacceptable,” head coach Joe Mihalich said. “We made some poor decisions and we have no room for errors. There were stretches when we played hard, but not long enough."

On a night when Niagara (3-13, 0-4 MAAC) honored one of its great, Calvin Murphy, it was a freshman that shined on the court. Jordan set a career-high with 18 points on a career-high six 3-pointers, while tying a career-high with five assists.

Niagara athletics welcomed back Murphy for tonight's game to be recognized as its "legend" for the Legends Classic, which the Purple Eagles participated in back in November.

"He is a special guy and we are blessed to have him,” Mihalich said about the Basketball Hall of Famer. “There hasn’t been a lot of smiling this season, but he makes everybody smile. He loves Niagara and we love him.”

A close first half witnessed a pivotal run by the Broncs (11-5, 3-1 MAAC) which broke open the game for the visitors. Freshman guard Malcolm Lemmons' layup with 11 minutes left in the half cut the lead to 21-19, but Rider finished the half on a 26-8 run to take a 20-point halftime lead.  Rider connected on six 3-pointers in the half and nine in the game.

"We didn't get out to the shooters,” Mihalich said. “They made open shots while we missed open shots. They got in transition and made a couple of 3's...that is what a good team does."

The Purple Eagles had a better run offensively in the second half, but were unable to cut the lead to under 17 points en route to starting conference play 0-4 for the first time since the 2005-06 season. Niagara was held under 30 percent shooting for the third time this season.

"We have a couple of guys who are hesitant to shoot,” Mihalich said. “I believe in them, but I'm worried that they don't believe in themselves."

Two other Purple Eagles scored in double-digit in the game. Senior Anthony Nelson finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Lemmons had 11 points and five boards.

Niagara continues its home conference slate against the Siena Saints on Sunday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Time Warner SportsNet.