Nelson, Johnson help Fairfield edge Canisius 74-71

Feb 18, 2016, 10:23 pm

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Tyler Nelson scored 22 points and Coleman Johnson hit three critical free throws and Fairfield held off Canisius 74-71 on Thursday night.

Kassius Robertson got a friendly bounce on a 3-pointer with 1:01 to play to pull Canisius within 70-69. Johnson, who was 9 of 14 from the line this season, was fouled as the shot clock wound down and he made 1 of 2 free throws with 30.7 seconds left. After a miss by the Golden Griffins, Johnson was fouled again and made both free throws with 7.6 seconds left to make it 73-69.

Malcolm McMillian scored a quick layup but the Golden Griffins never got another chance.

Marcus Gilbert added 17 points and Curtis Cobb 15 for Fairfield (16-11, 10-7 Mid-Atlantic), which has won four straight.

McMillan had 15 points and Kevin Bleeker 14 for Canisius, which led 40-34 at the half but shot 33 percent in the second when Fairfield shot 61 percent.