CANTON, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (1-4) defeated SUNY Canton (2-4) 76-71 for its first win of the season. Senior guard Colton Huestis (Ticonderoga, N.Y./Ticonderoga) led the Bears with 20 points and junior guard MeSean Johnson (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) had 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
 
The opening minutes featured back and forth scoring and a layup from Canton's Jevonte Williams gave the Roos a 5-4 lead at 17:07. The Bears answered with a layup from Johnson that ignited a 6-0 response and Potsdam led 10-5 just over a minute later. Canton rallied to tie the game at 12-12 and again at 19-19, but the Bears took off with a 14-2 run. Eight of the points came from Huestis, including six from long range. The Bears led 33-21 at 5:10. A bucket from Eli Larson with 39 seconds left trimmed Potsdam's lead to 40-33 at the half. Johnson finished the opening period with 14 points on six-for-six shooting, nine rebounds and four assists.
 
Less than minute into the second half, a layup from junior forward Shaheed Alcide (Queens, N.Y./Cambria Heights Academy) gave the Bears back their double digit lead at 43-33. They couldn't shake the Roos however. A 19-8 run from the hosts, punctuated by a Larson layup, gave Canton a 52-51 lead. The Roos stayed tied or ahead until 7:04 when Huestis scored to give Potsdam a 61-60 advantage. He followed with a three to extend the gap to four and the Bears kept Canton at arm's length the rest of the contest. Clutch free-throw shooting from junior guard Jeff Williamson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Christ the King), freshman guard Erik Wall (Syracuse, N.Y./Bishop Grimes) and senior guard Isaac Oduro Jr. (Jamaica, N.Y./Christ the King) put the contest out of reach.
 
Alcide had a double-double with 12 points and 16 boards. Oduro contributed 10 points and Williamson wrapped up his day with nine points and eight rebounds.
 
Larson led the Roos with 12 points and five rebounds. Williams chipped in 11 points and five rebounds and Bryon Streb added 10 points and four rebounds.
 
The Bears are back in action on Friday, December 1, when they open SUNYAC play at No. 6 Oswego State.