Niagara pulls away from Buffalo in 92-81 win

Nov 13, 2013, 10:05 pm

LEWISTON, N.Y. -- Antoine Mason scored 25 points to lift Niagara to a 92-81 win over Buffalo on Wednesday night.

Mason, who was eight of 14 from the field with two 3-pointers, got help from Ramone Snowden and Tahjere McCall, who each scored 15 points and snagged eight rebounds for the Purple Eagles (1-1). Marcus Ware also hit double digits with 11 points.

Buffalo's Javon McCrea scored 31 points and hauled in 14 rebounds, the game's only double-double.

Niagara led 47-36 at the break, but Buffalo (0-2) charged back in the second half, closing the gap to 71-66 on a pair of back-to-back dunks by Jarod Oldham and Josh Freelove with about 8 minutes remaining and triggering a Purple Eagles timeout.

Niagara preserved its lead when it returned to the court, then began pulling away with 5:13 left on a Marvin Jordan steal that set up a Cameron Fowler layup.