ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Juan Mendez scored five of his 27 points in overtime, rallying Niagara to a 106-92 win against Iona on Saturday, and a berth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference semifinals.

Tremmell Darden scored 21 points before fouling out, and Mendez added 16 rebounds for the Purple Eagles (20-8), who won 20 games for the first time since going 23-7 to finish the 1992-93 season. Niagara, the tournament's second seed, next plays Sunday evening, facing the winner of the Siena-Fairfield second-round matchup.

Ricky Soliver scored a career-high 31 points and Steve Burtt added 24 for Iona (11-18), which was eliminated from the tournament for the third straight year by the Purple Eagles.

James Reaves put Niagara ahead for good when he opened overtime by hitting two free throws to break an 89-89 tie 28 seconds into the extra frame. Mendez then scored the next five points as Niagara eventually built a 98-89 lead before the Gaels scored their first point, a Soliver free throw.

The Gaels eventually went 1-for-10 from the field and committed three turnovers in overtime.

Niagara rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 4:30 of regulation, tying the game on Lorenzo Miles' 3-point basket with 36.8 seconds left. Iona committed a shot-clock violation on its final possession, and James Mathis' desperation shot for Niagara fell short at the buzzer.

The Gaels finished without three starters _ Anthony Bruin, Greg Jenkins and Marvin McCullough, who had fouled out. Niagara had two players foul out, Darden and David Brooks.

Niagara's score matches the tournament record set by LaSalle in 1990, and the combined 198 points is a tournament record.