In the biggest game of the Western New York basketball season, Canisius took down top-ranked NYS Class A and Monsignor Martin Athletic Association leader Bishop Timon-St. Jude 77-75 in a nailbiting finish on Jim Palano Court in South Buffalo. 

This win moved the Crusaders to the top of the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association with a league record of 7-0 and 12-2 overall.

Patrick Cullinan '25 scored a season high 20 points.

Pat Benzer '24 scored 18 and Nicholas Purdie '25 scored 13. 

Johnny Esposito '25 gave Canisius a four-point lead with a putback basket with about a minute to go and Canisius survived a five-second violation and a last-second driving shot that missed for Timon.  

Next up, the Crusaders go on the road for another Monsignor Martin Athletic Association matchup against Nichols on Monday, Jan. 29.