NIAGARA UNIV. — The Niagara Purple Eagles pulled away late from the Rider Broncs for an 80-67 victory on Saturday afternoon.
The Purple Eagles powered past the Broncs late in the second half as they outscored Rider 23-9 in the final 4:27. Kahlil Dukes started the run with a layup to push Niagara ahead, 59-58, for the final lead change of the game. NU held a 63-62 lead with 2:20 remaining when the Purple Eagles went on a 7-0 run. After Dukes made a pair of free throws, Matt Scott drained an uncontested 3-pointer from the top of the key; Dukes followed with two more free throws as the duo combined for all seven points.
Rider trimmed the lead to 70-65 with 58 seconds left, but Niagara sealed the game at the free-throw line. The Purple Eagles, who are on pace of setting a program record in single season free throw percentage, made their next eight free throws.
NU had to rally from a halftime deficit. After scoring the game’s opening points, Niagara trailed 13-4 after five minutes. The Purple Eagles cut the lead to 22-21 on a Scott layup with 8:09 left in the first half, but went into halftime trailing 37-31.
Niagara started the second half on a 10-2 run, capped by a Chris Barton 3-point play that gave Niagara a 41-39 for its first lead since the opening points. At the 10:35 mark, Scott drained a 3-pointer for his 1,000th career point as NU trailed 48-46. The score was tied four more times before Dukes put NU up for good.
The Purple Eagles start a three-game road swing beginning on Thursday, Feb. 2 for their first meeting with the Fairfield Stags at 8 p.m.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
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