Campus Watch

Niagara 88, Manhattan 64

How Niagara Won: Bilal Benn remains a creature of second-half habit. The workhorse senior from Philly scored 14 of his game-high 22 points and grabbed eight of his game-high 13 rebounds in the second half as the Purple Eagles took firm control and coasted. Big games by Demetrius Williamson (15 points, eight rebounds) and Kashief Edwards (14-7) enabled a 44-34 rebounding advantage.

Turning Point: It was a five-point game until Williamson nailed a three with 13:33 left in the game for a 54-46 Niagara lead. He struck again from the arc with 10:01 to go, making it 64-50.

Player of the Game: Benn is just an abolustely grizzly bear. This was his fifth double-double. He was tied for fifth in the nation in that category coming in.

Stat of the Game: Niagara had 15 assists (six each by Anthony Nelson and Tyrone Lewis) against just 10 turnovers.

He Said It: Niagara coach Joe Mihalich on Benn: "This guy is a phenom here. Look at that body. He's not 7-foot. He's not 260 pounds. But he's sixth in the country in rebounding."

In The House: 2,037 took it in at the Gallagher Center.

Next Up: Niagara entertains  Loyola (Md.) at 2 p.m. Sunday while Manhattan heads down the road to face Canisius in the KAC, also at 2 p.m.

-- Bob DiCesare