BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Juan Mendez scored 30 points to lead Niagara to an 87-82 victory over Canisius in each team's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener Wednesday night.
With Niagara (4-1, 1-0 MAAC) leading by one with 3:33 left in the second half, Mendez hit a pair of free throws to push the lead to three. After a defensive stop, the Purple Eagles pushed their lead to five when David Brooks corraled a blocked putback attempt by Mendez and hit a field goal with 2:14 remaining.
But Canisius (1-2, 0-1 MAAC) made it a one-possession game after Dewitt Doss hit two free throws with 51.3 seconds left, making it 81-78. The Golden Griffins press caused Brooks to turn the ball over out of bounds, and Doss put up a difficult field goal attempt that missed.
Niagara put the game away with a free throw by Mathis followed by a steal and layup by Brooks, making the score 84-78 with 17.7 seconds left.
Lorenzo Miles scored 17 points for the Purple Eagles, who won their fourth straight game. James Mathis had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Charron Fisher added 12 points and Brooks had 10.
Doss led Canisius with 22 points. Kevin Downey, who scored all eight points during an 8-2 Golden Griffins run that made it 77-76, had 21 points.
Niagara has won seven of the last eight meetings with Canisius.
