180th showdown in the Battle of the Bridge did not disappoint Monday night at the Gallagher Center.
Niagara led by as many as 18 and held on late for a thrilling 91-84 win over rival Canisius.
180th all-time meeting between @Griffs_MBB and @NiagaraMBB! Packed house! Hilites at 11 on @WKBW pic.twitter.com/HTcZv9R7dC
— Nick Filipowski (@NICK_WKBW) January 24, 2017
The win is the second straight for Niagara, which improves to 7-14 (4-6 MAAC).
Canisius has now lost three straight, it's longest stretch since opening the year with back-to-back losses to No. 2 Kentucky and Cleveland State to open the season.
The victory is the first in four tries by the Purple Eagles, who were swept in three games last season by the Griffs.
There wasn't much Niagara missed against their foes. They shot a blistering 53 percent from the floor and went 17-for-17 from the charity stripe.
First half between @Griffs_MBB and @NiagaraMBB is ???
— Nick Filipowski (@NICK_WKBW) January 24, 2017
Four Purple Eagles hit double-figures including Marvin Prochet (19), Matt Scott (18), Khalil Dukes (17) and Kevin Larkin (16).
The Griffs Phil Valenti, who scored 20 in the loss, turned in a Herculean effort down the stretch, scoring seven straight points as Canisius pulled to within five in the final minute.
Niagara Falls native Jermaine Crumpton led all scorers with 22.
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