Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men's basketball team surged past the Buffalo State Bengals, 96-71, in its final exhibition game on Friday night at the Gallagher Center.

Niagara had strong outings by the usual stalwarts in Marvin Jordan, who led the game in scoring for the second straight week with 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting, and Antoine Mason who had 15 points in 28 minutes of work.

However, the Purple Eagles also received contribution from several newcomers. Marcus Ware had the game's only double-double with 17 points (13 in the second half) and 11 rebounds. Ramone Snowden matched Ware's total in points with 17, Wesley Myers scored in double-digits for the second straight exhibition game with 13 points and Cameron Fowler had a game-high five assists.

Niagara built a comfortable 20-point halftime lead before Buffalo State opened the second half on an 18-6 run to cut Niagara's lead to 58-47 with 14:49 remaining. A layup by Jordan a few possessions later sparked a 19-5 run over the next four minutes as the Purple Eagles led as much as 31 in the second half.

"This was a good game for us. It was very different from our first exhibition game and it made us win in a different way," head coach Chris Casey said.  "Buffalo State plays extremely hard and they make you play basketball. They take you out of what you are trying to do and they make you make individual plays to the basket."

Niagara will tip-off its regular season on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. against Seton Hall as part of the NABC Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. The game will be aired on Fox Sports 2, on radio on WGR 550 AM and on Purple Eagles All-Access.