NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- Willie Conner scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead Buffalo past Niagara for a 76-66 win in the season opener for both teams Friday night.

Quate McKinzie added 13 points and Nick Perkins and Blake Hamilton had 11 apiece for Buffalo, which shot 53 percent from the floor (29-55) and had a slight edge on the boards 35-33. Perkins and Hamilton each hauled in eight of those rebounds.

Niagara stayed close most of the game and edged into the lead 63-61 with a pair of free throws from Chris Barton with 4:26 left. But Conner put Buffalo back on top with a 3-pointer that sparked a 10-0 burst and the Bulls held Niagara to three free throws the rest of the way.

Matt Scott led Niagara with 21 points and Kahlil Dukes had 13.