There will be a new No. 1 in the next Western New York basketball rankings.
Nicholas Purdie '25 nailed a three-pointer from the right corner with three seconds left to break a tie and give the No. 2 Crusaders a tremendous comeback victory over rival No. 1 St. Joe's, 51-49, Saturday afternoon before a sellout crowd in excess of 1,200 at the Bernard J. Kennedy '49 Field House.
Purdie took a kickout pass from
Patrick Cullinan '25 and drained the three as part of Canisius' 12-0 run to take the lead; the crowd and student section roared, as did teacher and public address announcer extraordinaire
Bryce Hopkins '08.
Canisius, who had trailed almost the entire game, is now 12-2 and 6-0 in the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association. St. Joe's is 9-3, 5-1.
The Crusaders were behind, 48-39, with less than four minutes to go. It came back behind some stout defense, a Purdie free throw, three-pointers by
Jahyden Clark '25 and
Jack Cullinan '27 and a tough transition finish by
Jack Cullinan that tied the game at 48-48 with 43 seconds left.
The Crusaders' only previous lead prior to Purdie's game-winner was in the opening minutes of the game.
With 2:09 left in the game,
Jack Cullinan bangs a triple for the Crusaders St. Joe's is holding a 48-46 lead at Canisius with 2:09 left to play
Purdie had a game-high 15 points while
Jack Cullinan had five of his 10 points in the crucial comeback.
Patrick Cullinan and Clark had 11 each.
Canisius swept St. Joe's in Saturday's tripleheader (freshmen, JV).
The Crusaders play next at 5 p.m. Monday against Williamsville South at Hilbert College as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer showcase event.
Point totals:
Canisius 51 –
Nicholas Purdie 15,
Patrick Cullinan 11,
Jahyden Clark 11,
Jack Cullinan 10,
TJ Askew 2,
Patrick Enright 1
St. Joe's 49 – Nate Blenman 13, Mekhi Gidney 13, Jaymeir Goosby 12, Gary Alexander 5, Gionni Zelasko 2, Mahli Shabazz 2, Liam Horan 2
