POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY New Paltz (11-5, 7-2 SUNYAC) won an 80-70, see-saw battle with the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (2-13, 2-6) on Friday night in Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bears started the contest on an 11-5 run through the first six minutes. Sophomore guard Mohammad Sylla (Bronx, N.Y./Darrow) capped the run with a 3-pointer.
• A three from Hawks freshman guard Isaiah Rivera (Bronx, N.Y./Frannie Lou Hamer Freedom School) and a jumper from junior guard Thomas Keane (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peters Boys) gave the visitors their first lead of the game, 20-19, at 6:52.
• A three from sophomore guard Erik Wall (Syracuse, N.Y./Bishop Grimes) gave the Bears a 26-24 lead with 4:26 left and they led 39-34 at the break.
• A layup from senior guard Walter deFreitas (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) and another three from Sylla extended Potsdam's lead to 64-46 with 13:39 left in the second half.
• An 15-2 run from the Hawks, including three 3-pointers from graduate student guard Sean St. Lucia (Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna), put New Paltz up 61-56 at 10:32.
• The Bears stayed in striking distance for the rest of the game, but couldn't gain ground.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Sylla led all scorers with 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
• Senior forward Parker Kelly (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) scored 12 points for the Bears and deFreitas finished with 10 points and five boards.
• Senior guard A.J. Knight (Lakeview, N.Y./Holy Trinity Diocesan) led the Hawks with 19 points.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears host SUNY Oneonta at 4 p.m. tomorrow.