LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University men's basketball team beat the incoming snow and their opponents on the court Sunday afternoon, topping Niagara 67-62. With the win, the Broncs improve to 4-23 (3-15 MAAC), while the Purple Eagles fall to 7-21 (4-14 MAAC).
 
After falling behind 10-5, Caleb Smith (Atlanta, GA/Fredrick Douglass[Pratt CC/Garden City CC]) connected on a layup, then Flash Burton (Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) made a pair at the line before Davis Bynum (O'Fallon, IL/East St. Louis[Cal St. Fullerton]) scored four-straight points to put the Broncs in front 13-10. With the Broncs leading 15-13, the Purple Eagles countered with a 9-2 run to reclaim the lead. Down 23-19, Burton scored five-straight to give Rider a 24-23 lead, but the Purple Eagles responded with a 5-0 run of their own and Niagara led 28-27 at the break.
 
A three from Zion Cruz (Trenton, NJ/Donda[DePaul/Pratt CC]) early in the second tied the game 30-30 and Shemani Fuller (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Hayes [Clark Atlanta]) followed with a bucket that put the Broncs in front. Tied 40-40, Burton connected on a layup, then Bynum got back-to-back buckets, and Smith scored to cap the 8-0 run. The lead would be short lived however, as with Rider leading 50-42, Niagara went on a 15-0 run that turned the game in favor of the Purple Eagles. The Broncs had the immediate answer, getting buckets from Fuller and Burton, then after Niagara scored to take a 59-54 lead, Fuller scored five-straight points to tie the game before Burton knocked down a pull-up three with 1:35 remaining to give Rider the lead for good, going 5-of-6 at the line down the stretch to ice the game.

Quotes & Notes
"We had to win for some of our seniors, our manager Jimmy Grugan, our fans, who've been great, and Flash again hit some big shots. Hats off to Niagara, they're well coached, but it was important for us for a number of reasons. We've just been in this place all year, and been on the other side of it. For our guys to pull it out and be rewarded for still showing up every day, and doing what we're asking them to do, and continuing to try to fight. I'm used to it. I know Flash is going to take it, and I expect Flash to take it." – Head Coach Kevin Baggett
 
"I'm a shooter, so I want the ball every time. If I think I'm open, I'm just going to let it fly. It's amazing, especially when I finish it, or make a good play, I definitely hear [the home crowd]. I wasn't worried about [being down]. We always come back. I knew once we got loose and got our wind up, it was going to be fine." – Sophomore Guard Flash Burton
 
- Rider wins the lone game between the programs this season and extends its lead in the all-time series to 35-26.
- Prior to the game, the team honored outgoing seniors Daniel Helterhoff and team manager Jimmy Grugan.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider shot 43.6% (24-55) from the floor, and 33.3% (4-12) from three, while the Purple Eagles shot 52.1% (25-48) from the field and 37.5% (6-16) from long range.
- Burton scored in double figures for the team-best 20^th time this season, leading all scorers with 20.
- Fuller finished with 16 points to score double digits for the seventh time this year.
- Bynum scored 14 points, reaching double figures for the sixth time this season.
- Rider had 12 assists on their 24 made baskets, led by six from Burton.
- Rider held a 33-25 edge on the glass, including a 12-4 advantage on the offensive boards. Fuller and Burton each secured seven board to lead Rider.

Up Next
The Broncs return to MAAC play Friday, traveling to Iona for a 7 p.m. tip.