College Basketball

Canisius holds off late Niagara run in 65-60 win

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Phil Valenti and Malcolm McMillan each scored 14 points, and Kevin Bleeker had nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks Thursday night to as Canisius held off Niagara 65-60.

Kiefer Douse's jumper for Canisius made it 55-42 with 5:49 left to play, but the Purple Eagles used a 14-4 run over the next four minutes to cut the lead to 59-56 after a Matt Scott free throw with 1:29 to play.

Valenti's jumper made it 61-56, and Emile Blackman followed with two free throws reducing the lead to three again. But Malcolm McMillan finished 4 for 4 from the free-throw line in the final 31 seconds to seal the win for Canisius (13-17, 8-11 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference).

Blackman scored 27 points on 9-for-14 shooting for Niagara (7-23, 5-14). Justin Satchell added 11 points and five rebounds.