Canisius defeats Sacred Heart 82-78
Canisius Edges Sacred Heart in Thrilling Comeback Victory
In a dramatic turn of events, Canisius (HOME) erased a 7-point halftime deficit to secure an 82-78 victory over visiting Sacred Heart on Tuesday evening at the Koessler Athletic Center.
The Golden Griffins' comeback was sparked by a strong second-half performance from Kahlil Singleton, who poured in 20 points, including four three-pointers. His hot shooting and timely baskets helped Canisius outscore its opponents 41-34 over the final 20 minutes of play.
Singleton's contributions were complemented by Myles Wilmoth, who chipped in with eight rebounds, 11 points, and one assist. Anthony Benard also played a crucial role, dishing out four assists and scoring 14 points to anchor Canisius' bench.
Despite trailing by as many as 12 points early in the second half, Sacred Heart refused to give up. Yann Farell's 22 points led the way for the Pioneers, but his efforts were ultimately not enough to overcome Canisius' decisive comeback.
Canisius' strong shooting percentages played a significant role in its victory, with the team connecting on 50% of its field goal attempts and 28% of its three-point shots. The Golden Griffins also outrebounded Sacred Heart 28-26, including an impressive 22 defensive rebounds that helped stifle the Pioneers' fast break.
The game's largest lead came early in the second half when Canisius pushed its advantage to four points. However, Sacred Heart responded with a surge of its own, cutting the deficit to just two points before Singleton and Wilmoth led the way in the final minutes of play.
The win was a significant one for Canisius (HOME), as it snapped a losing streak against conference opponents. The victory marked the Golden Griffins' fifth consecutive home triumph under coach Reggie Witherspoon, who has the team playing with renewed confidence after a season-long slump.
In a closely contested and dramatic matchup, Canisius proved that its offense can overcome even the most daunting deficits. The win sets up an intriguing conference showdown next week against Iona, which is looking to extend its winning streak to three games.