BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Nick Perkins scored 26 points, Davonta Jordan added 16 -- career highs for both -- and Buffalo kicked off its basketball season edging cross-town rival Canisius 80-75 on Saturday.

In a game where neither team could break away, Perkins and Jordan each drove for scores in the final minute to put Buffalo back into the lead, 77-74. Jeremy Harris made three of four foul shots to close it out.

Harris finished with 15 points for the Bulls, preseason pics to win the Mid-American East.

Despite 25 points from freshman Takal Molson, and 20 from sophomore Isaiah Reese, 17 after halftime, Canisius, which had led by five late, was unable to hang on. The Griffins were hampered by 19 turnovers -- eight off Buffalo steals -- and were outrebounded 42-32.

Jermaine Crumpton, coming in 30 pounds lighter than last season, blocked three shots, grabbed seven boards and scored nine points for Canisius.