Lewis scores 24 to lead Canisius past Iona, 78-74

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Zach Lewis scored 24 points and Phil Valenti added 19 to lead Canisius to a 78-74 win over Iona on Sunday.

Lewis made 8 of 15 field goals, including 5 of 9 from 3-point range, and Valenti hit 7 of 12 shots.

A layup by David Laury and a pair of free throws by A.J. English pulled Iona within two with 48 seconds to play, but Valenti hit two at the line with 11 seconds left to seal it.

Iona (13-6, 6-2 Metro Atlantic) trailed by as many as 12 in the first half and was down 54-45 with 16 minutes remaining before a 16-4 run gave the Gaels a 61-59 lead midway through the second half.

Five straight points by Jermaine Crumpton gave Canisius (10-7, 5-3) the lead for good, 64-61, with 8:30 to play.

Laury led Iona with 29 points, one off his career high. English finished with 19 points, 12 boards and eight assists.