Canisius eliminates Niagara 102-97 in 3OT behind Valenti

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Phil Valenti scored a career high 33 points as Canisius outlasted Niagara 102-97 in triple overtime in a first-round game in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament Thursday night.

Canisius advances to play Iona in the quarterfinals Friday.

Valenti made two free throws with 1:04 left in the third overtime to give Canisius (14-18) the lead for good at 99-97.

Niagara's Karonn Davis hit a jumper to tie it at 93 with 48 seconds left in the second overtime. At the end of the second overtime, Emile Blackman sank three free throws to tie at 86 after getting fouled on a 3 attempt with a second left.

At the end of regulation, Dominic Robb hit a jumper and a layup to give Niagara (7-25) a 71-66 lead with 1:47 to play. Malcolm McMillan responded with a layup, and Kassius Robinson's 3 tied it with 55 seconds remaining.

Blackman, who led the Purple Eagles with 26 points, missed a 3 attempt with 29 seconds left before Kevin Bleeker missed a 3 attempt with three seconds left for Canisius.