CHARLESTON, S.C. — Jayvon Graves had 25 points and Josh Mballa had a tip-in with 23.4 seconds left that put Buffalo ahead to stay in a 76-73 victory over Towson at the Charleston Classic on Friday night.
The Bulls (3-2) appeared done when Allen Betrand hit a 3-pointer to put Towson up 69-62 with two minutes left. But Buffalo finished with a 14-4 run to move into Sunday’s fifth-place game with Missouri State.
The Tigers (2-4) will play Saint Joseph’s on Sunday to see who avoids going 0-for-Charleston.
Mballa began Buffalo’s frantic run to the end with a basket while Graves and Jeenathan Williams each had two free throws to draw within 71-70.
Graves missed a layup before the 6-foot-7 Mballa skied high for the tip in.
Towson’s Jason Gibson missed a 3-pointer on the next possession and Graves added two more from the foul line.
Mballa finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Brian Fobbs had a season-high 22 points for Towson.
RELATED: Bulls lose to Huskies, 79-68
