Juan'ya Green scored 20 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer, as Niagara outscored Sam Houston State 9-2 in the final five minutes of a 59-52 victory Wednesday.
Konner Tucker hit a 3-pointer to cap a 14-7 Bearkats run and tie the game at 50 with 5:21 to play. The Purple Eagles (2-3) then limited Sam Houston State (1-4) to two free throws the rest of the way in the Progressive CBE Classic.
Niagara took the lead with 4:38 to go until halftime at 24-23 on a fast break layup by Skylar Jones, and ended the half ahead 26-25.
Antoine Mason added 15 points for the Purple Eagles and Marvin Jordan chipped in 10.
Marcus James, who gave Sam Houston State its biggest lead, 19-13, with a free throw with 7:49 left in the first half, led the Bearkats with 14 points. Michael Holyfield added 13 and Tucker scored 11.
