SUNY CANTON ATHLETICS

(Potsdam, N.Y.)- Tony Valentin (Perth Amboy, N.J.) and Deric Alston (Jacksonville, N.Y.) each sank a free throw in the final minute of the game leading the SUNY Canton men's basketball team past Paul Smith's College 75-73 Tuesday night in Potsdam.  The Roos won their second straight game improving to 3-5 in the Sunrise Conference and 5-13 overall.

The second half went back and forth as there were eight lead changes and five ties.  SUNY Canton was never able to build more than a six-point lead, which they did three separate times.

Valentin put the Roos ahead by three, 73-70, with his second 3-pointer of the night with 1:36 left in regulation.  

But Steven Edwards, who leads the conference in scoring, buried a triple of his own on the Bobcats next possession tying the game for the final time.

Valentin was fouled on a drive to the basket and sank one of two free throws for a one-point lead with under 25 seconds left.  Paul Smith's then threw the ball out of bounds and Alston was fouled with 12 seconds left.  Alston also hit one of two shots from the line putting the Roos up by two.

Paul Smith's had a chance at the buzzer but Kris Klinkbeils 3-pointer missed off the back iron.

Alston, the Sunrise Conference Player of the Week, had a terrific game with 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and five steals.

Valentin scored a team-high 20 points.  Jajuan Williams (Jacksonville, N.C.) added 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.  Tony Parker (Sodus, N.Y.) had 12 points and nine rebounds and Jeff Grenier (Whitehall, N.Y.) contributed six points and eight rebounds.

Edwards collected a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds.  The freshman guard hit 10 of 12 shots from the free throw line, sank four 3-pointers and also had five steals and four assists.  Ryan Hingston added 22 points and eight rebounds and Klinkbeil finished with 18 points.