Scanlon, Alston help Boston to 71-68 win in OT, No. 2 seed

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Tyler Scanlon hit back-to-back baskets to lift Boston University into the lead and Justin Alston added the clinching free throws with nine seconds remaining in a 71-68 defeat of Holy Cross in overtime on Saturday.

The season-closing win secured the No. 2 seed for Boston U (17-13, 12-6) in next week's Patriot League Tournament.

Scanlon finished with 19 points and Alston added 11 with 10 rebounds. Cedric Hankerson chipped in 14 points and Eric Fanning 13.

Hankerson had given Boston U a 59-57 lead with a 3-pointer late in regulation, but Holy Cross' Robert Champion forced overtime with a pair of free throws. Champion added two more from the line as Holy Cross cut the gap to 69-66 with 21 seconds left, and Patrick Benzan made it a one-point game when he scored at 13 seconds.

But then Alston sank the clinching free throws.

Champion led the fifth-seeded Crusaders (15-16, 9-9) with 27 points; Malachi Alexander added 12 with five assists. Holy Cross, ninth last season, made it through the Patriot League playoffs and into the NCAA Tournament.