POTSDAM, N.Y.—Plattsburgh State (5-7, 2-3 SUNYAC) managed to halt a second half streak by the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (2-9, 2-3 SUNYAC) and claim an 86-69 decision on Tuesday evening in Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a 9-9 start to the game, the Cardinals used a 19-9 run to grab a 28-18 lead at 9:17 of the first half.
• A layup from senior forward Kareem Welch (Brooklyn, N.Y./Thomas Jefferson) gave Plattsburgh its biggest lead of the half, 41-25, at 3:56. The Cardinals led 44-35 at the break.
• The Bears started the second half red hot, using a 21-11 run to build a 56-52 lead with 10:21 left. Sophomore guard Mohammad Sylla (Bronx, N.Y./Darrow) scored 10 of the points for Potsdam.
• Plattsburgh bounced back and took the lead for good on a layup from senior guard Ikechukwu Ezike (Brooklyn, N.Y./Paul Robeson) at 7:38, breaking a 60-60 tie.
• Plattsburgh finished the contest on a 24-9 run to close out the 86-69 victory.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Sylla finished 21 points and seven rebounds.
• Senior guard Walter deFreitas (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) had 11 points and four rebounds.
• Junior guard Khalil Screen (Providence, R.I./Classical) and senior forward Parker Kelly (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) each scored 10 points. Screen completed his double-double with a game-high 12 rebounds.
• Senior guard Franklin Infante (East Rockaway, N.Y./East Rockaway) led the Cardinals with 15 points.
• Welch finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 assists.
• Freshman forward Nate Pondexter Jr. (Washington, D.C./Archbishop Carroll) also scored 13 for Plattsburgh and grabbed six boards.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears host Oswego State at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.