BUFFALO (Ticker) -- Alvin Cruz hit a clutch 3-pointer with 90 seconds left and Tremmell Darden scored seven of his 26 points in the final three minutes as Niagara edged Troy State, 87-83, in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Juan Mendez added 20 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks for Niagara (22-9), which was coming off a loss to Manhattan in the championship game of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament.

The Purple Eagles trailed, 81-80, with 1:50 left following a jumper by Greg Davis. But Cruz drained his pivotal basket 20 seconds later and hit a jumper for a four-point edge.

After Davis made two free throws with 17 seconds to go, Darden sealed the win with two free throws.

Making its first NIT appearance since 1993, Niagara will travel to Nebraska for a first-round game on Friday.

Davis had 18 points for Troy State (24-7), which made the NCAA Tournament last year and won the Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season title this season before losing to Central Florida in the league tournament.

Rob Lewin had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Kendrick Johnson added 14 and eight for the Trojans.