Boxscore

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. - Calvin Thompson poured in a career-high 28 points, but Niagara placed four players in double figures to hold off Howard, 82-77 in the Glenn Wilkes Classic at the Ocean Center.

Thompson, a 6-3 sophomore guard, connected on 9 of 15 from the field, including 3 of 5 from three-point range for the Bison, who overcame a 13-point halftime deficit.

The Purple Eagles (2-1) shot a sizzling 71 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.  Anthony Nelson paced Niagara with a team-high 18 points while Bilal Benn (17 points, 12 rebounds), Rob Garrison (17 points) and Demetrius Williams (12 points) were instrumental in holding off a furious second half rally by the pesky Bison.

Freshman forward Mike Phillips, who came off the bench for the first time this season for Howard, recorded the first double-double of his career with 17 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs.

Kyle Riley added 11 points and Kandi Mukole contributed nine off the bench.

Howard (0-3) will try to get its first win of the season when it takes on Georgia State at 11 am on Saturday in the next round of the Classic.