NEW PALTZ, N.Y.—SUNY New Paltz (11-3, 5-2 SUNYAC) defeated the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (3-12, 2-6) 74-52 on Friday night. Junior guard Jeff Williamson (Brooklyn, N.Y./Christ the King) led the Bears with 14 points.
 
Threes from senior guard Colton Huestis (Ticonderoga, N.Y./Ticonderoga) and Williamson gave the Potsdam early leads nearly seven minutes into the contest. The Hawks answered with a 13-0 run capped by a three from Ethan St. Lucia. The hosts were up 24-12 at 9:21. The teams traded baskets the rest of the way until the break. Williamson hit another three as time wound down and freshman guard Nicholas Cortez (New York, N.Y./Forest Hills) scored on back-to-back buckets. The Bears trailed 35-23 at the break.
 
Potsdam opened the second half on a 16-10 burst. A Williamson 3-pointer and a free throw from Cortez had the Bears down just 45-39 with 10:23 left. However, New Paltz pulled away over the remainder of the game. Dakoda Smith extended the Hawks' lead to 68-48 with 1:57 left. Lucas Seyoum made it 74-50 at 0:57 for the biggest lead of the game.
 
Huestis finished with nine points and senior guard Isaac Oduro Jr. Jamaica, N.Y./Christ the King) had eight and six rebounds.
 
Smith led the Hawks with 17 points, five boards and four steals and Alex Krupinski contributed 16 points .
 
The Bears are back in action tomorrow afternoon when they travel to SUNY Oneonta for a 4 p.m. contest.