Thomas, Okereafor lead Rider over Canisius 79-68

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (AP) Kahlil Thomas matched career-highs with 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Rider pulled away in the final five minutes to beat Canisius 79-68 on Sunday for its third-straight win.

Teddy Okereafor added 20 points and six assists for Rider (9-13, 5-6 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), which shot 57 percent from the floor. Thomas has eight career double-doubles, all in the last 12 games.

Kassius Robertson made four 3-pointers and finished with 24 points to lead Canisius (10-13, 5-7). Jermaine Crumpton chipped in 20 points.

Rider had an 11-point lead with nine minutes left. Crumpton scored nine points as part of a 13-4 surge to pull the Golden Griffins to 64-62 with 5:42 remaining.

The Broncs answered with a 15-6 run to seal it. Taylor scored seven points, Thomas made five free throws, and Canisius missed six of eight field goals and had two turnovers during the stretch.