BUFFALO, NY - Sophomore leader Justin Stokes (Buffalo, NY/Middle Early College) sank two free throws with 1.8 seconds left to lift the Villa Maria Vikings over the SUNY Canton Kangaroos 87-86 on Saturday afternoon inside the Villa Athletic Center.

Stokes scored 17 points in the game but no two were bigger than the last two.  The sophomore more recorded his first double-double of the season, dishing out 11 assists in 32 minutes.  With the victory, Villa snaps a six-game slide.

Canton came into the game ranked sixth in the latest USCAA I Coaches Poll.  It's just the second time, the Kangaroos have lost this season, falling to 10-2 on the season.

The Vikings were up 10 on three separate occasions in the second half, but the Kangaroos were able to gain a one-point lead with 7:35 left.  The teams traded baskets and the lead for the next four minutes before freshman DeJaun Owens (Buffalo, NY/Tapestry) buried one of his four triples to put Villa ahead 75-72 with 3:54 left.  Freshman Darius Huggins (Buffalo, NY/Lackawanna) then threw down a thunderous one-hand jam on the next possession after junior forward Kirby Driscoll (Angola, NY/Lakeshore) slipped a pass baseline to Huggins behind the defense.  Huggins finished two blocks shy of a triple double after registering 20 points, 12 rebounds and 8 blocks.  He also added four steals.

Canton was once again able to tie the game with 2:25 left as Romario Fletcher finished on the fast-break.  On the next possession, Villa freshman Donte Campbell (Buffalo, NY/Huch Tech) smoothly connected on two free throws to put Villa back ahead, 81-79 with 2:03 left.  Campbell then again came through, this time finishing at the rim after slashing his way into the paint to double the lead.

Canton had a chance to tie the game with 52 seconds left as Sam Annorh, who scored a game-high 32 points, scored while getting fouled.  He missed the free throw, but after Villa was unable to score, Annorh gave Canton an 84-83 lead with a layup.  

With Villa trailing by one, Campbell again drove the lane and was fouled.  The freshman, who scored 20 points, again calmly and collectively hit both free throws.  But it was Canton once again who answered as Khalil Bratton got his shot from close range to go with eight seconds left to put Canton ahead 86-85.  It was Stokes who then came through for the Vikings and gave them one last hope.

After putting a nice crossover dribble on his defender, Stokes rose up and was undoubtedly fouled, putting the soft-spoken guard at the line with a chance to play hero.  Both foul shots hit nothing but net, not even grazing the rim, and Villa was able to come out victorious.

Five Vikings scored in double figures as Owens scored 12 on his four triples, and freshman Dominic Douglas (Bainbridge, GA/Bainbridge) added 11 points.  The Vikings play again on Sunday as they look for revenge against the University of Maine Presque Isle, who defeated Villa 74-68 on Dec. 31 in Maine.