Erik Etherly scored a career-high 19 points and Loyola (Md.) defeated Niagara 75-63 on Friday night to snap a nine-game losing streak in the series.
The win assures the Greyhounds (15-13, 10-7 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) of their first winning season since 2007-08.
The Greyhounds kept Niagara at bay in the second half by making 21 of 27 free throw attempts. Loyola (Md.) did not make a field goal in the final 5:09, but made 12 free throws while holding the Purple Eagles to eight points in that span.
Dylan Cormier added 15 points, and Shane Walker and Justin Drummond each had 11 for the Greyhounds. Julius Brooks had a career-high 11 rebounds.
Anthony Nelson scored 16 points and had five assists to set the Niagara career school record in that category with 635. Kashief Edwards had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Purple Eagles (8-22, 4-13).
