POTSDAM, N.Y.—Skidmore College (1-1) pulled away from the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (0-3) in the second half to claim a 73-53 win on Tuesday night in Jerry Welsh Gymnasium. Junior guard MeSean Johnson (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) led the Bears with 14 points and five boards.
 
After a close start to the contest, a 12-2 run by the Thoroughbreds gave them a 20-8 lead at 13:38. Freshman guard Charlie Fantom (Norwell, Mass./Wilbraham & Monson Academy) capped the stretch with a 3-pointer. A jumper from freshman Nick Padilla (Harlem, N.Y./Dwight School) three minutes later, gave Skidmore its biggest lead of the half a 23-10. The Bears finally countered with an 11-0 run to get within 23-21 with 6:33 on the clock. Fantom halted Potsdam's momentum with another three and a layup from freshman forward Jack LaGarde (Stow, Mass./Nashoba Regional) extended the advantage back to 33-26 at 2:38. A three from freshman guard Aidan Roy (Larchmont, N.Y./Mamaroneck) sent the Thoroughbreds into the locker room up 41-30.
 
Skidmore built its lead up to as many as 17 early in the second half, but Potsdam answered again. A 12-0 stretch from the Bears got them to within 47-42 at 13:39. Sophomore guard Jewliann Cherry (Queens, N.Y./Cambria Heights) led the charge with five of the points. Another three from the Thoroughbreds, this time from Padilla, again slowed Potsdam down. A 13-4 run gave Skidmore a 61-46 lead with 7:28 to play and put the game out of reach.
 
Junior forward Shaheed Alcide (Queens, N.Y./Cambria Heights) had 11 points and four rebounds for the Bears. Junior guard Jeff Williamson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Christ the King) and Chery each scored seven points.
 
Fantom led the Thoroughbreds with 17 points. Sophomore forward Joey Skoric (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. LaGarde also had a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Bears are back in action on Friday, when they host crosstown rival Clarkson University at 7 p.m.