(Canton, N.Y.)- Khalid Vaughn (New York, N.Y.) scored on a driving layup with time winding down in regulation to force overtime and the SUNY Canton men’s basketball team went on to capture a thrilling 85-80 victory over the University of Maine at Presque Isle Tuesday afternoon at St. Lawrence University.

The game fittingly went into an extra session as both teams battled back and forth throughout the day.  That was especially true in the opening 20 minutes as there were seven ties and the lead changed hands five times before the Owls settled for a 37-33 halftime lead.

Presque Isle came out firing to start the second half and took advantage of a slow start by the Roos to reel off a 10-0 run and boost their lead to 47-35 with 17:02 on the clock.

Rob Sanders (New York, N.Y.) then kick started the Roos offense with a free throw line jumper that sparked a 20-0 spurt over the next five minutes that put the home team back ahead 55-47.  Sanders had one of his best games of the year finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.  Jajuan Williams (Richlands, N.Y.) had a hand in 12 of those points during that stretch as the senior scored eight of his 15 points and assisted on two other baskets.

Later in the half, after the Roos (1-9 Sunrise Conference, 4-16 overall) misfired on a 3-pointer, the Owls converted three free throws to go ahead 60-59 with under seven minutes left.

A jumper from Clifford McDonald, who had a spectacular night for the Owls with 36 points and 17 rebounds, made the score 62-59.  Williams dead locked the game once again with another triple on the Roos next possession and then down the stretch the Owls held the Roos at bay with leads that went from one to three points.

With time winding down in regulation and the Roos trailing 71-69, Vaughn penetrated the defense and scored on a driving scoop shot and the game went into overtime when a three from the Owls Kyle Corrigan rattled out from half court.

In overtime, the Roos hit 5 of 6 shots, including two more layups from Vaughn and one from Williams, and they converted four of six free throws to secure the win.

Vaughn finished with 21 points and five rebounds and Williams added six assists and three steals.  

Tony Valentin (Perth Amboy, N.J.) also reached double figures with 17 points and eight rebounds.

Corrigan added 14 points and eight assists for the Owls who end their season at 4-8 in the Sunrise Conference and 6-16 overall.