Canisius put it on the line against a team in contention for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title, playing from the start with a strong-minded determination to right some horrible wrong in an 84-66 victory over Rider on Thursday at the Koessler Center.

The Golden Griffins played swarming defense, loosened up the rims with numerous dunks and smiled with joy as shot after shot fell softly through the net. And they shook hands with many of the 1,087 on hand after the game — one that had few tense moments — having won their first MAAC game while handing the Broncs only their second loss in league play.

Canisius (6-11, 1-6) never trailed in the second half, outperforming Rider (9-7, 4-2) — a team whose only previous loss in conference play came Jan. 9 against league-favorite Siena.

“It’s a pivotal win for us,” said Canisius coach Tom Parrotta. “Obviously we were knocking on the door the last few games and there’s something to be said for working really hard but coming up empty, and the guys are starting to realize that.”

It was as if the Golden Griffins, who had dropped four consecutive games, were determined to fool all doubters in one shot. The six wins also matches their total from a year ago.

“We’ve been losing close ones, and it was about us not being able to win at the end of the game,” said junior guard Frank Turner. “This may be that hump that we had to get over.”

That skeletal bench looked a lot stronger with Robert Goldsberry, Tomas Vazquez-Simmons and A. J. Hawkins contributing 21 points with Vazquez-Simmons grabbing a game-high 11 boards. And this was without Chris Gadley, who missed his fourth straight game with a back injury.

The Griffs shot 50.8 percent for the game and 7 of 20 from beyond the three-point arc, with Julius Coles pouring in a career-best 26 points and hitting 2 for 5 from long range. Turner added 20 points, seven assists and just three turnovers while scoring his 1,000th career point.

“Every shot felt good coming off my hands,” said Coles, whose previous high of 19 points came against Navy on Dec. 20. “Even the bad ones.”

And when Rider threatened to turn the game’s momentum its way, closing the gap to 68-61 on a layup by Mike Ringgold, Canisius didn’t melt down. They worked the ball patiently until a good shot presented itself. When Elton Frazier went baseline and soared as if he were shot out of a cannon and converted a two-handed dunk, the Griffs led, 81-65, with 2:18 left and the outcome had essentially been decided.

Rider arrived at the Koessler Center winners of three of its last four and remained in contention for the MAAC title despite the loss of NBA first-round pick and league MVP Jason Thompson.

“A year ago at this time,” Parrotta said, “we don’t win that basketball game.”