Junior Juan Mendez had a game-high 27 points vs. Buffalo.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo’s Turner Battle hit a 14-foot jump shot with 0:00.3 seconds remaining to lift the Bulls to an 81-79 non-conference victory over Niagara University Saturday in front of a sellout crowd (2,400) at the Gallagher Center.

Battle’s basket capped a seesaw game. After Niagara’s senior Tremmell Darden (Las Vegas, Nev.) hit a three-point field goal from the right side to give the Purple Eagles a 61-60 lead - Niagara’s first lead since 7:08 in the first half - with 7:53 remaining, UB went on a 13-0 run. Battle scored six of those points to fuel the scoring outburst. Darden snapped the scoring drought with a free throw at 4:04.

Senior James Reaves (Rochester) got Niagara started on the comeback trail with a three-point field goal to make it 73-65 at 3:24. UB made it 77-69 after a Battle layup before Darden hit another three-point field goal at 1:55 to make it 77-72. David Brooks hit a pair of foul shots after a UB miss to bring the Purple Eagles within three, 77-74.

Mario Jordan sank two free throws to give UB a 79-74 at 1:03 before another Darden three-point field goal brought Niagara within two points, 79-77. After UB missed a foul shot, junior Juan Mendez (Montreal, Quebec) sank a pair of free throws to tie the game, 79-79, with 10 seconds remaining.

Buffalo ran the clock down to five seconds remaining before calling time to set up Battle’s play and the eventual win.

Darden finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Mendez had a game-high 27 points to go with nine rebounds and two steals. Reaves and Brooks scored 14 and 10 points, respectively. Darden, Reaves and Mendez combined to score 40 of the Purple Eagles’ 46 second-half points.

Battle led UB with 21 points while Mark Bortz scored 19 points in a reserve role.

Niagara, 4-1, plays St. Bonaventure at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Gallagher Center.