AUBURN — Messiah Brown (33) and Devin Morris (22) combined for 55 points as the No. 4 Spartans topped the No. 5 Saints.

North Country rallied to take a slim advantage within the final 2 minutes of regulation, but a three-point play boosted Cayuga to a 92-91 advantage with just over 1 minute remaining that the Spartans never relinquished.

"They just made more plays than we did down the stretch," Saints coach Daryl Crist said. "After we rallied to take the lead back late, I thought we were in a good position, but that three-point play was a really big moment in the game."

Crist said his team should be proud of the achievements it made this season.

"This team battled and did everything I asked them to do from a coaching standpoint," he said.

"They overcame a lot throughout the course of the year. We were able to keep persevering and kept working hard, and the players have a lot to be proud of.

"It's not easy to lose, but this group has a lot to be proud of and should keep their heads up."