March 4, 2005
Box Score
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Kevin Downey had 19 points to help lead Canisius to a 62-60 win over Marist in the first round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament Friday night.
Dewitt Doss added 15 points in the comeback win for the seventh-seed Golden Griffins (11-17, 9-10 MAAC), who were down by 10 with just over 17 minutes remaining.
Doss helped fuel a 22-8 Canisius run that gave the Golden Griffins a 47-43 advantage with 7:59 to go. Downey capped the spurt with a short jump hook, while Doss had eight points during the surge.
No. 8 seed Marist (11-17, 8-11) had a chance to tie the game, but Will McClurkin's four-foot turnaround jumper fell short with 12 seconds left. Canisius' Darnell Wilson made a pair of free throws after getting immediately fouled following McClurkin's miss, making the score 61-57.
Marist's Jared Jordan drained a 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left to cut the lead to 61-60, but Chuck Harris made one free throw, then stole the ensuing inbounds pass to secure the win for the Golden Griffins.
McClurkin led the Red Foxes with 23 points.
Canisius will face No. 2 seed Rider on Saturday.
