TAMPA -Tyrone Lewis scored 23 points to lead Niagara to a 70-55 win against the University of South Florida on Sunday at the Sun Dome.

Benson Egemonye scored 17 for the Purple Eagles (7-2) and Bilal Benn contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds for Niagara.

Jesus Verdejo scored 20 points to pace USF (3-4). Transfers Mike Mercer and Augustus Gilchrist finished with 12 and eight, respectively, in their debuts for the Bulls.

Lewis had four long-range baskets midway through the first to put the Purple Eagles ahead by eight midway through the half, and Niagara led 32-29 at the break. Verdejo hit a 3-pointer midway through the second to pull the Bulls within 57-49, but Niagara scored 10 straight to put the game away.

Gilchrist and Chris Howard led USF with six rebounds each, while Dominique Jones finished with eight points, four rebounds and four assists.

Niagara came in ranked 10th in the NCAA averaging 10.6 steals per game, and had 11 on Sunday.

The Bulls travel to Nashville for the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational on Tuesday, Dec. 14. USF takes on Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. and Tennessee vs. Marquette follow with both games televised on ESPN2.