Niagara holds off Monmouth's hot finish, 78-77

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- James Towns hit an open 3-pointer from the top of the circle and then added two free throws for an 11-point lead with 2:45 left and Niagara held on through a white-knuckle finish to edge Monmouth 78-77 Friday night.

The Hawks made up ground in a hurry, ending the game on an 11-1 run. Austin Tilghman converted a 3-point play when he was fouled by Dominic Robb, his fourth, and Melik Martin and Pierre Sarr drained 3-pointers as Monmouth made it a 78-77 game with 40 seconds remaining.

Niagara's Marvin Prochet missed twice with 15 seconds left. Sarr pulled down a defensive rebound but Monmouth didn't get off a final shot.

Towns scored 18 points for Niagara (10-8, 3-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), which has won three in a row, Kahlil Dukes led with 25 points, Matt Scott added 14 and Robb 12. Prochet was 1-of-9 shooting for three points, but added 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Louie Pillari scored 19 for Monmouth (5-11, 1-3), making four 3-pointers, Tilghman added 14 points with five assists, Zac Tillman scored 14 and Diago Quinn 10 with 14 rebounds for his first double-double.