NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles had their three-game home winning streak against the Saint Peter's Peacocks snapped in a 77-65 defeat on Friday night.

It was a tale of two halves for Niagara (4-20, 3-12 MAAC) as the Purple Eagles let a 14-point second half lead slip away.

"I thought we played an extremely good first half (but) I thought their seniors played an outstanding second half," head coach Chris Casey said.

NU controlled play in the first 20 minutes. The Purple Eagles jumped out to a 13-5 lead behind two triples by Emile Blackman, a 3-pointer by Matt Scott and four points from Dominique Reid. Niagara led by 12 points on four different occasions, including heading into halftime up 39-27 after Karonn Davis sank a 3-pointer with five seconds left.

The Purple Eagles shot 54.5 percent (12-for-22) from the field and made six of nine 3-pointers in the opening half.

A Reid layup with 18:03 remaining gave NU its largest lead at 43-29. However, the Peacocks (13-13, 7-8 MAAC) began to chip away at the lead and went on a 20-6 run over the next eight minutes to tie the game at 49-49. Reid pushed NU back in front, 51-49, with a jumper for its final lead of the game. Saint Peter's Tyler Gaskins broke a 51-51 tie with a 3-pointer at the 8:43 mark as the Peacocks gradually pulled away.

NU shot only 30 percent (8-for-26) from the field and connected on one of 10 3-pointers in the second half.

Reid led NU with 18 points and six rebounds. Wesley Myers had 11 points and Emile Blackman chipped in with 10 points.

Niagara is back on the court on Sunday to face the Rider Broncs for the first time this season. For ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-8499.