Buffalo, NY – Eli Larson recorded a monster double-double with 31 points and 17 rebounds, but host Buffalo State ended the game scoring the final five points to edge the SUNY Canton men's basketball team 71-70 in SUNYAC action on Friday evening.

THE BASICS

• Result: Buffalo State 71, SUNY Canton 70
• Location: Sports Arena – Buffalo, NY
• Records: SUNY Canton (3-17, 3-10 SUNYAC) | Buffalo State (7-14, 5-9 SUNYAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Roos roared out to an early 10-0 lead holding host Buffalo State scoreless over the first 6:50 of the contest.
• The Bengals got within 27-20 with 4:46 left in the first half but Canton used a 9-0 run to extend to their largest lead of the game at 36-20 with 2:52 left in the half.
• Buffalo State closed the half on a 7-3 run as Canton took a 39-27 lead into intermission.
• Larson led the Roos with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the first half shooting 9-for-13 from the field, while Bryon Streb added eight points on 3-for-4 shooting. Matt Parkinson paced the Bengals with eight points.
• Canton opened the second half on a 6-2 run to once again open a 16 point advantage after a Larson dunk early in the second half.
• The Roos still led by double digits at 55-45 nine minutes into the second half and led by nine (64-55) with seven minutes to play. The Bengals chipped away at their deficit getting within two (68-66) with 2:50 left.
• Kevin Goode Jr. knocked down a pair of free throws with 1:12 left to put the Roos up four (70-66).
• The Bengals responded with a made jumper with 37 seconds left and Canton missed the front end of a one-and-one with 23 seconds to play. Buffalo State raced down the floor and Streb blocked a game-tying layup attempt with less than 15 seconds remaining and Larson pulled down the ensuing rebound with contact but was whistled for a travel.
• Buffalo State drew up a baseline out of bounds play and Chisom Ani tied the game at 70.
• Canton looked for the game-winner late but missed a late shot attempt and fouled the Bengals on the rebound.
• Ani missed his first free throw with one second left but made the second one to seal the win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Larson led the Roos with career-highs of 31 points and 17 rebounds shooting 13-for-21 from the field. Streb tallied 10 points and six rebounds, while Goode Jr. added 10 points and Nate Cohen chipped in nine points, six boards and four assists. Jevonte Williams tallied a team-best six assists to go with five points.
• Parkinson paced the Bengals with 14 points, while Brendyn Cheng (11) and Zee Johnson (10) scored in double figures.
• Canton shot 42% from the field and 31% from three-point range while the Bengals had marks of 35% and 33%.
• The Roos dominated rebounding (44-29) and points in the paint (40-26) and had the edge in second chance points (12-8). The Bengals had advantages in bench points (26-7), fast break points (20-9) and points off turnovers (15-8).

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Roos are back in action on Saturday when they visit Fredonia State at 4 p.m.         
   

Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college's career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 25 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.