EASTON, Pa. – Niagara (2-4) sank the game-winning 3-pointer with 0.6 left to defeat Binghamton men's basketball (2-6) 65-62 in the opening game of the Lafayette Classic Friday afternoon at Kirby Sports Center.

The Bearcats played from behind for most of the second half but twice tied the game in the closing 44 seconds. The final tie was forged when graduate forward Ben Callahan-Gold swished in a 24-footer from the top of the key with five seconds remaining. But with the score deadlocked at 62, the Purple Eagles hit the game-winner just before the final horn sounded. A final 75-foot desperation heave from senior guard Chris Walker was online but bounced off the front rim at the buzzer.

Binghamton drilled a season-high 12 3-pointers – six in each half – and rallied to tie from seven points down in the final four minutes.

"I'm happy with the way we played today," head coach Levell Sanders said. "Unfortunately we couldn't get the 'w' but it's an improvement from where we've been. We made some 3s and battled to the final whistle."

Graduate guard Tymu Chenery scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in the second half and Chenery sparked the final run with seven points in the closing four minutes. His 3-pointer with 44 seconds left brought the Bearcats even at 57-57. Then after Niagara retook the lead with a 3, Chenery powered his way to the rim for a thunderous jam with 17 seconds left. That bucket pulled Binghamton to within one, 60-59. After an intentional foul and two Niagara free throw makes, Callahan-Gold delivered his clutch shot, only to have the Purple Eagles hit their second 3-pointer in 25 seconds to steal the thunder.

Niagara converted at a 60% clip for most of the second half to keep its slim lead. The game was played within seven points for the entire 40 minutes.

Walker took advantage of his first start of the season and poured in Binghamton's first 13 points – in the game's first 9:36. He hit 5-of-6, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range to keep the Bearcats even at 13-13 halfway through the period.

After Niagara pushed ahead 17-13, Binghamton used a 14-5 run spanning 3:13 to grab a 27-22 lead late in the half. The Purple Eagles converted the last two field goals of the half to pull within one, 27-26, at the break. Binghamton nearly hit its season average of threes (7) in the first half, making 6-of-14 (43%) to help offset 11 turnovers.

The Bearcats continue tournament play against LIU at 2 p.m. Saturday.