Junior Lorenzo Miles scored a team-high 18 points in the UB loss.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. - University at Buffalo guard Calvin Cage scored the game’s first points on his way to a game-high 22 points as the Bulls recorded a 68-59 non-conference victory Saturday night over Niagara University in front of a sold-out Gallagher Center crowd in men’s basketball action.

Cage sank six of seven three-point field goals to power the Bulls (6-1). Yassin Idbihi and Parnell Smith added 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Niagara junior guard Lorenzo Miles (Washington, D.C.) led the Purple Eagles (2-3) with 18 points and a career-best seven assists. Sophomore Charron Fisher (Pennsauken, N.J.) and junior J.R. Duffey (Fort Worth, Texas) scored 14 and 11 points, respectively.

The Bulls opened a 23-12 lead with 8:42 to play in the first half on a basket by Mario Jordan. Duffey sank a three-pointer to bring Niagara back, 23-15, at 7:31. UB then got an inside basket by Smith for a 30-17 lead with 3:33 left in the half. Niagara responded with a three-pointer by Duffey before Miles sank two baskets, one a three-pointer that beat the buzzer, to bring the Purple Eagles within five, 32-27.

Miles brought Niagara within three, 54-51, with 5:51 remaining. Cage answered with his sixth and final three-pointer and Niagara was unable to get closer than six points for the rest of the game. Roderick Middleton sank five of six free throws in the final 62 seconds to ice the win. The Purple Eagles out-rebounded Buffalo, 38-32, as all five Niagara starters snared five-or-more rebounds.

Niagara opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Dec. 9 with a 7 p.m. game against Siena College in the Gallagher Center.