GENESEO, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (9-6, 7-3 SUNYAC) held off a late charge from SUNY Geneseo (8-9, 6-5) for a 59-56 road victory on Friday evening. Junior center Tyrese Baptiste (Brooklyn, N.Y./Eagle Academy II) was outstanding again with 18 points and 19 rebounds and freshman forward Parker Kelly (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) had 10 points.
 
The Bears were hot out of the gate, building a 19-8 lead just over six minutes into the contest. Freshman guard Jeff Williamson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Christ the King), sophomore guard Isaac Oduro Jr. (Jamaica, N.Y./Christ the King), Kelly and sophomore guard Colton Huestis (Ticonderoga, N.Y./Ticonderoga) each hit threes during the run. The Knights answered with a 13-7 run and three from Raymond Grabowski made it a 26-22 contest at 5:34. Harrison Dignan got Geneseo within 29-27 at 3:14, but the Bears distanced themselves from the Knights with a 9-2 finish to the half. Kelly scored five of the points and Williamson made the most of a 4-point play.
 
Potsdam looked like it would run away with the contest after a 12-5 start the second half, extending its lead to 50-34 with 11:09 left. However, the Knights raced back to take the lead with a 20-3 run. Terrance Nichols hit a jumper at the 3:00 mark to give Geneseo a 54-53 advantage. Three points from freshman guard MeSean Johnson (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) and free throw from Baptiste put Potsdam back up 57-54 at 1:13. Nichols made it a one-point contest with a layup with just 23 seconds left. Kelly followed with some insurance for the Bears by hitting both of his free throws three seconds later. Geneseo had a chance to tie with a second left, but Michael Gannon's three wouldn't fall.
 
Gannon led the Knights with 13 points and six rebounds. Nichols finished with 12 points and Jackson Gonseth had 11 points and five boards.
 
The win moves Potsdam into third place. They travel to fifth place Brockport at 2 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.