POTSDAM, N.Y.--The College at Brockport (14-6, 9-5 SUNYAC) defeated the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team's (10-10, 8-7) Friday night. Sophomore center
Tyrese Baptiste (Brooklyn, N.Y./Eagle Academy II) led the Bears with 17 points and 11 rebounds on the night. Freshman guard
MeSean Johnson (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) and freshman guard
Jeff Williamson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Christ the King) scored 13 points apiece.
The Bears started off the first half strong with six unanswered points. The first layup was made by sophomore guard
Colton Huestis (Ticonderoga, N.Y./Ticonderoga), followed by back-to-back layups from Baptiste. Then after multiple shots by both teams, Potsdam took a lead 13-11 at 13:06. Brockport senior guard Antonio Alvarez (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) tied the game with a layup at 11:06 and started a 7-0. Five of the points coming on free throws from senior guard Brandon Kennedy-Gay (East Hampton, N.Y./East Hampton) and Alvarez. Sophomore guard
Brian Pod (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) answered with a 3-pointer at 8:06 for the Bears to get Potsdam within 20-18. Brockport broke open the contest with a 24-7 run in the last 4:46 of the first 20 minutes and took a 47-30 advantage into the break. Brockport went 14-for-14 at the free-throw line in the first half and Potsdam was just 2-for-3 at the line.
The Bears started the second half strong. After some quick shots by both teams, the Bears went on a 7-0 run at 15:15, starting with a 3-pointer by Williamson. Potsdam trailed 55-46 aft 13:04. After a free throw from Brockport junior guard Jahidi Wallace (Troy, N.Y./Lansingburg) briefly broke up the run, the Bears answered again with a 10-0 run to tie the game at 56-56 with 7:39 to play. Brockport responded with the next eight points. The Bears were unable to catch up and the game ended with the 75-64 final.
Freshman guard Mekhi Beckett (Waterbury, N.Y./Mepham) led all scorers with 19 points. Junior forward David Grady III (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooklyn Law and Tech) had 16 points and Alvarez finished the night with 13 points.
The Bears are back in action tomorrow as they take on the Geneseo knight at 4pm at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.
