Drexel led by nine early, trailed by 12 at the half and had a chance to tie it late, but the Dragons didn’t quite have enough in a 76-69 loss at Niagara this morning. The game had tipped at 8 a.m. as part of ESPN’s 24-hour hoops marathon.

Drexel got 18 points from Gerald Colds, 13 points and 10 rebounds from freshman guard Derrick Thomas, and 10 boards from Evan Neisler. And while the Dragons limited the Purple Eagles to 34.9 percent shooting, they couldn’t stop ‘Nova transfer Bilal Benn (19 points, 14 rebounds) or UConn transfer Rob Garrison (20 points). Bucks County native Tyrone Lewis did not play for Niagara, which is coached by La Salle grad Joe Mihalich, because of a foot injury.

The Dragons trailed by as much as 15 early in the second half, but they battled back. Colds knocked down a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left to get them within 72-69, after which Niagara turned it over. Jamie Harris missed a 3 that would have tied it, and Samme Givens was out of bounds as a he grabbed the rebound, which gave the ball back to the Purple Eagles, who put it away from there.

Drexel shot just 38.5 percent and made just 14 of 23 free throws (60.9 percent). Senior Kenny Tribbett did not play.

The Dragons (0-2) next play Friday night at Rutgers as part of the Legends Classic.