Senior Juan Mendez had 33 points in the loss at UB Saturday.

BUFFALO – The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team used clutch free-throw shooting and a pressure defense as the Bulls recorded a 95-92 double-overtime win over Niagara Saturday night at Alumni Arena.

The Purple Eagles (5-3) trailed 67-59 with 4:57 to play in regulation. Niagara got four points from senior forward Juan Mendez (Montreal) as it took a 68-67 lead with one minute remaining after sophomore guard Lorenzo Miles (Washington, D.C.) made one of two free throws. UB, which missed its last eight field goal attempts, had a chance to win the game but Roderick Middleton made one of two foul shots with 1.8 seconds remaining to force overtime.

UB’s Mark Bortz and Mendez went toe-to-toe in the first overtime session as Bortz scored eight points and Mendez netted seven. A three-pointer from senior forward David Brooks (Philadelphia) tied the game with 49.6 seconds left in the session.

Mendez and Brooks opened Niagara’s scoring in overtime as well. In fact, the two players scored all but six of the Purple Eagles’ 24 overtime points. UB opened an 89-86 lead after Turner Battle made one of two free throws. Niagara cut the lead to one point, 89-88, after Brooks’ basket with 41.2 seconds remaining but UB (5-2) then sank six of its last eight free-throw attempts to pick up the win.

Niagara was hampered by a season-high 20 turnovers but the Purple Eagles also forced UB into committing 21 turnovers. Niagara made a season-low three three-point field goals, all by Brooks.

Mendez, who made a career-high 19 free throws in 23 attempts, scored 33 points and snared 13 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double this season. He now has 29 career double-doubles. The 30-point outing was the eighth in Mendez’s career and fourth this season. Mendez has now scored 1,710 points, fourth-best all-time at Niagara and fourth-best among Canadian NCAA Division I players. Mendez is one point shy of Chris Watson (1993-97) who scored 1,711 career points, for third place at Niagara.

Brooks scored 23 points to go with seven rebounds and a career-best tying five steals. Brooks had five steals earlier this season against Central Connecticut State (Nov. 22).

Bortz led UB with a career-best 32 points.

Niagara will play St. Bonaventure in St. Bonaventure, N.Y., on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.