Senior James Mathis had 17 points in Friday's loss.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Siena College (4-2, 1-0) scored seven of the game’s final eight points as the Saints defeated Niagara University, 76-75, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball action Friday night at the Gallagher Center.

Siena’s Kojo Mensah, who had a career-high 29 points, scored Siena’s final five points, including a tie-breaking layup with 29 seconds remaining to give the Saints a 76-74 lead.

Niagara sophomore Stanley Hodge (Washington, D.C.) was fouled with four seconds remaining to give the Purple Eagles (2-4, 0-1) a chance to tie but Hodge made one of two free throws. Siena inbounded the ball and ran out the clock.

The Purple Eagles led the entire second half until Mensah tied the game, 74-74, with 52 seconds left by making one of two foul shots. Siena made 21 of 24 free throws in the contest.

After Siena led most of the first half, Niagara used a 13-0 run to close the half. The Purple Eagles took a 38-37 lead when sophomore forward Charron Fisher (Pennsauken, N.J.) scored with 1:35 left in the opening stanza. Junior forward Clif Brown (Ferndale, Mich.) sank two free throws to give the Purple Eagles a 40-37 lead at halftime.

Fisher led Niagara with 19 points while senior forward James Mathis (Newark, N.J.) scored a career-high tying 17 points. Brown had 12 points and a team-best seven rebounds in a reserve role.

Siena’s Antoine Jordan scored 16 points while Kenny Hasbrouck added a career-high 15 points. Tay Fisher netted 11 points for the Saints.

Niagara continues MAAC play Sunday with a 5 p.m. game against Saint Peter’s.