BRAMPTON, Ont. -- After leading by as many as 12 in the first half, the Sheridan Bruins men's basketball team (9-2, 1-0 OCAA) had to really from a six-point fourth quarter deficit, closing the game on a 10-0 run to edge past Niagara 84-80.

"Trying to explain to the average person just how tough the OCAA West is can be tough," head coach Jim Flack said. "But tonight you saw what a brutally tough division it is. There are just so many deep teams that are well coached. You just can't predict the result of any one game with any degree of certainty. It's going to be a fun year."

Both teams got off to a quick start, with Niagara holding a narrow 25-23 advantage after one. 

On the strength of a 13-3 run, the Double-Blue built a double-digit lead, but saw that trimmed to just seven (49-42) at the break.

Throughout the third period, Niagara slowly began chipping away at the margin and pulled level at 65-65 going into the fourth quarter. 

As Sheridan struggled to find their rhythm offensively, Niagara slowly began to build their lead and pushed it as high as six.

But guard Dylan Periana scored 14 of the team's 19 fourth quarter points, as the Bruins rallied.

Brian Owusu and Ostap Choliy scored a team high 18 points, while Periana (14, to go with seven assists) and Jemol Edwards (10) also hit double figures.

The Bruins will host Redeemer on October 25.