CANTON, N.Y.—Saint Lawrence University (6-7) used a fast start and a big second half to defeat the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (4-10) 73-42 in a non-conference battle on Tuesday night. Terry Parham and Ralph Temgoua had game-highs in points with 14 and 13, respectively. 

St. Lawrence raced out to a 6-0 lead in the first half and set the tone early. A mini-run by Potsdam capped by a layup from sophomore guard Tony Efese cut the gap to 19-9 with 10:23 remaining in the half. That was as close as the Bears got in the game as the Saints defense continued to force turnovers and hit long range three-pointers. A free throw from Potsdam junior guard Josh Lambert got the Bears to within 12 at 32-20. Potsdam followed the point with a defensive stop and got the ball to Efese on a fast break. Efese launched a three that would have made it just a nine-point deficit with 2:10 left, but the shot rattled off the front of the rim. The Saints closed the half on a 5-1 run and led 37-21 at the break.

Potsdam scored the first four points of the second half. A layup from Bears freshman forward Zac Adams cut the Saint lead back to 12, but Potsdam got no closer. St. Lawrence shot 48 percent from the floor, outscoring Potsdam 36-17 to close the contest for the 73-42 victory.

The Saints outshot Potsdam 49.1 to 36.2 percent from the floor. Senior forward Brad Drysdale led the Bears with nine points. Lambert finished with six points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Potsdam returns to conference action when the Bears head to Buffalo State for an 8 p.m. battle on Friday, Jan. 20.