Seasons end for Canisius, Niagara in postseason tournaments

The season is officially over for Western New York's MAAC teams after both fell in their respective postseason tournaments Wednesday evening.

The Canisius men's basketball team fell in overtime to Jacksonville State 80-78 in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational. The game was played at the Koessler Athletic Complex.

It was a tight game from start to finish and it was Isaiah Reese who kept the Golden Griffin's season alive a little longer after hitting a 3-pointer at the final horn of regulation to force overtime. In that extra period, the two teams traded baskets until the final minute when the Gamecocks scored five straight points to take the lead. A last second shot from the Griffs before the buzzer went off the rim as the Gamecocks held on for the win. 

Isaiah Reese scored a game-high 24 points in the loss while Jermaine Crumpton added 16. He leaves the program tied for sixth all-time in career points with 1,587. 

Canisius ends their season with a 21-12 overall record, their first 20-plus win season since the 2013-2014 campaign.

Over in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament, the Niagara men fell to Eastern Michigan 83-65 in the first round of the postseason tournament.

The Purple Eagles fell behind early, trailing 20-8 with 11 minutes left in the first half and trailed 42-27 at the break. Their deficit came from multiple EMU runs that wouldn't allow the Purple Eagles to make it a tight enough game to take the lead and run away.

The Purple Eagles were led by Kahlil Dukes who had 16 points in the win while Marvin Prochet added 12 points and 11 rebounds. Matt Scott, who returned from a high ankle injury, chipped in with seven points and seven rebounds.

The Purple Eagles finish the season with a 19-14 overall record, their best since the 2012-2013 season.