Luke Granto '23 hit three of the most clutch free throws you'll ever see back-to-back-to-back to help Canisius to a great win at Jamestown in a battle of top 10 large school teams.
With the Crusaders down two, Granto went 3-for-3 from the line with :01 left on the clock to push Canisius to what would end up being a 54-51 road win over the Red Raiders.
Granto had all 19 of his points in the second half while
Shane Cercone '23 had 16 points for the Crusaders. Canisius (9-4) entered the game as the No. 5 team in
The Buffalo News large school poll while Jamestown was No. 3. The Crusaders have won six straight, a run that also included an overtime comeback victory over Niagara Falls.
"These games -- down the stretch they're going to matter. It feels good to get the 'dub,' especially on the road against a really good opponent," Granto said to WNYAthletics. "We're working and striving every day to be on the top of our game."
In a zany finish of a great battle, Granto was fouled while shooting a three-pointer as he tried to win it for Canisius, which was trailing, 51-49. Granto calmly hit all three free throws with :01 left to put Canisius up, 52-51.
On the ensuing inbounds, Jamestown threw the ball out of bounds; Jamestown then fouled
Jahyden Clark '25 before Canisius' inbounds pass. Clark hit both free throws for the 54-51 and Jamestown's last-ditch inbounds was picked off by Granto.
Canisius led for most of the game, 10-7 after the first quarter, 21-20 at half and 38-33 after three. Trey Drake (22 points) put Jamestown up in the final minute before Granto's heroics.
Canisius hosts Park tonight, plays at No. 2 small school Nichols on Friday and hosts No. 8 St. Joe's on Jan. 31; the Crusaders play at No. 6 St. Francis on Feb. 2 and takes on current No. 1 Amherst on Feb. 4 as part of the prestigious Centercourt Classic.
Check out highlights and coverage below:
Scott Kindberg's report in the Jamestown Post-Journal: 'Great' Granto
