POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Canton (4-15, 2-9 SUNYAC) shook off a challenge from the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team 1-17, 1-10) late on Friday night to pull off an 87-77 victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bears opened the contest with an 11-6 run over the first five minutes. Sophomore guard Mike Hancock (Bayville, N.Y./Locust Valley) had five of the points, including a 3-pointer.
• Canton answered with a 17-4 burst to grab a 23-15 edge at 10:20. Junior guard Lateef Johnson (Cohoes, N.Y./Troy) had 11 points during the run for the Kangaroos.
• Threes from sophomore guard Bobby Kemokai (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh) and Hancock as well as a layup from freshman forward Landon Cox (Dickinson Center, N.Y./Brushton-Moira) gave Potsdam an 8-0 run and a 28-25 lead with 6:15 left in the half.
• Another three from Kemokai gave Potsdam a 39-35 advantage at 2:11, but the Roos closed the half with a 6-0 stretch and took a 41-39 lead into the locker room.
• The first 14 minutes of the second half saw Canton take several leads and Potsdam roar back to jump in front or close to within a point.
• Down nine at 9:29, the Bears outscored the Roos 13-4 to close within 67-66. Hancock scored 11 of the points, hitting three 3-pointers.
• Canton scored six of the contest's next eight points and slowly extended its lead rest of the way.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Canton shot 44.6-percent from the floor and Potsdam hit 38.4-percent of its shots.
• The Bears edged the Roos on the glass, 41-29.
• Hancock finished with a career-high 30 points along with nine rebounds. Kemokai totaled 14 points and senior guard Jaylen Singh (Mufreesboro, Tenn./Rockvale) contributed nine points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
• Johnson led the Roos with 26 points and 11 boards for the double-double.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears host Oswego State at 4 p.m. tomorrow.