Nicholson scores 26 as St. Bonaventure holds off late rally to beat Massachusetts 70-69

St. Bonaventure holds off Massachusetts 70-69

AMHERST, Mass. — Andrew Nicholson scored 26 points and Michael Davenport had 16 points and 10 rebounds as St. Bonaventure held off Massachusetts 70-69 on Wednesday night after losing a 10-point second-half lead.

Two free throws by Nicholson put the Bonnies (9-8, 2-2 Atlantic 10 Conference) ahead to stay, 70-68, with 2:06 remaining.

Anthony Gurley made one of two free throws to pull the Minutemen (7-11, 1-4) within a point with 1:45 left, but that was as close as they came.

Freddie Riley missed a 3-pointer with 42 seconds left for Massachusetts. The Minutemen regained possession with 8 seconds left after a missed 3-pointer by Davenport, but Riley missed a final 3-point try at the buzzer.

Ricky Harris led Massachusetts with 22 points, and his dunk with 2:38 to go tied the game for the eighth time, 68-68.