St. Bonaventure 80, Niagara 75

Nov 24, 2012, 06:59 pm

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Chris Johnson tied his career high with 19 points and Demitrius Conger added 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead St. Bonaventure to an 80-75 victory over Niagara on Saturday night.

Conger made two free throws with 31 seconds remaining to break a 75-75 tie, then was 3 of 4 from the line with 1 second left after a Michael Davenport steal and a technical foul on the Purple Eagles' bench.

Marquise Simmons added 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for the Bonnies (3-1), who bounced back from a 72-69 loss at Canisius.

Antoine Mason had 19 points and Ameen Tanksley chipped in 16 for Niagara (2-3), which led by seven late in the first half and 33-32 at halftime.

Johnson hit a 3 to give St. Bonaventure a 38-35 lead with 17:18 remaining and the Bonnies never trailed again, although the score was tied three more times.