LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) -Rodney Pierce scored 25 points as Buffalo pulled away midway through the second half and held on to beat Niagara 86-80 on Wednesday night.
John Boyer and Calvin Betts added 12 points apiece for the Bulls (4-3), who shot 54.4 percent (31-for-57) to 37.7 percent (26-for-69) for the Purple Eagles (6-4). Titus Robinson grabbed 13 rebounds for Buffalo, which had a 48-34 advantage on the boards.
Tyrone Lewis scored 26 points to lead Niagara and was 6-for-13 from beyond the arc, making him the school career leader on 3-pointers with 222.
After leading 40-38 at halftime, Buffalo opened a 65-49 lead with 8:13 left. The Purple Eagles cut it to 83-80 on Lewis' 3-pointer with 15 seconds left.
Pierce was fouled by Anthony Nelson and made both with 13 seconds left for an 85-80 lead. Lewis then missed a 3-pointer and Demetrius Williamson a putback for Niagara.
