POTSDAM, N.Y.—Utica University (1-0) used a big second half to defeat the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (0-2) 86-70 on Friday evening. Junior guard MeSean Johnson (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) led the Bears with 14 points, six assists and four rebounds. Fellow junior guard Jeff Williamson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Christ the King) scored 12 points for Potsdam.
 
After a back-and-forth start to the contest, a layup by Justice Brantley gave the Pioneers their biggest lead of the half at 27-18 with 7:51 on the clock. The Bears answered with a 12-2 run. Junior forward Parker Kelly (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) had five points during the span, including a three. A 3-pointer from senior guard Colton Huestis (Ticonderoga, N.Y./Ticonderoga) punctuated the run and gave Potsdam its first lead of the game at 30-29 with 4:37 left in the half. A three from junior guard Kaleb Lewis (Greenfield, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) extended the advantage to 33-29. The hosts responded with a 10-2 spurt to close the half. Utica led 39-35 at the break.
 
The Pioneers opened the second half with three consecutive 3-pointers to open up a 48-35 lead. Utica slowly extend its advantage as the period continued. Dayion Thompson hit a jumper at the 8:39 mark and the Pioneers matched their biggest lead of the night at 71-50. A 12-3 run from the Bears with 3:54 left, whittled the deficit down to 74-62. Williamson scored five of the points, with three coming from long range. Utica pulled away after the burst closing out the contest on a 12-8 stretch.
 
Junior forward Kawar Singh (Queens, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) had 10 points and six boards. Senior guard Isaac Oduro Jr. (Jamaica, N.Y./Christ the King) also scored 10 and grabbed five rebounds. Kelly finished with nine points and six rebounds. Huestis had eight points and Lewis added seven.
 
Thompson led all scorers with 25 points for Utica. Brantley contributed 17 points, six assists and seven rebounds. Damien Call scored 15 points and corralled seven boards. Thomas Morreale reached double-digits with 10 points and five rebounds.
 
The Pioneers shot 48.28 percent from the floor, while Potsdam hit 41.5 of its attempts. Utica also finished with a 38-33 edge on the glass.
 
The Bears are back home on Tuesday when they host Skidmore College at 7 p.m.