DeWayne Reed's layup and free throw with 12.5 seconds and Auburn held off Niagara 69-65 in the season opener for both teams Friday night. Reed, who finished with 24 points, scored eight points during the Tigers' 11-0 run in the game's final 89 seconds. Frankie Sullivan added 10 points for Auburn, which was picked to finish last in the Southeastern Conference West division and return two starters from last year's 24-win team. Auburn's Lucas Hargrove blocked Rob Garrison's layup attempt with 2.8 seconds remaining and followed with a steal on Niagara's last possession to cap Auburn's come-from-behind victory. Bilal Benn had a double-double by halftime and finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Purple Eagles, who are coming off a 26-win season that included a second-place finish in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and an NIT appearance.
