It was a game that the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team would not give up on despite the circumstances.

After trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half, the Bears fought back to get a shot at a potential game-winning three-point attempt by sophomore guard Joe Estramonte (Greenwich, N.Y. / Greenwich Central). 

But it careened off the rim and out of bounds with just two seconds left as host St. Lawrence eked out a 69-67 nonconference win Tuesday night at Burkman Gymnasium. 

Just moments earlier, Estramonte had helped pull Potsdam (1-4) within one on a 3-pointer with 21 seconds remaining.  He finished shooting 3-of-8 from beyond the arc with nine points, six rebounds and two steals.

Junior forward Brady Condlin (Massena, N.Y/ Massena) was fouled with 14 seconds left and made 1-of-2 free throws to give the Bears an opportunity to win in regulation or send the game into overtime.  Condlin recorded a double-double for St. Lawrence (2-4) by closing with 18 points and 11 rebounds. 

Junior guard/forward Zac Adams (Potsdam, N.Y. / Potsdam) kept the Bears in the game by turning in his fifth consecutive game scoring in double figures.   Adams had 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block.  

Freshman forward Josh Blagrove (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Bishop Ford) had 13 points and seven rebounds while senior forward Rob Duquette (Peru, N.Y. / Peru) had 11 points and five rebounds. 

Potsdam last lead with 17:30 left in the second half on a lay in by Duquette that gave it a 34-33 lead.  The Saints answered with a 7-0 run by attacking the paint.  Senior forward Janpeter Brase (Lake Wylie, S.C. / Gaston Day) and freshman Kieran Miller (Montclair, N.J. / Montclair) each scored inside and Condlin then capitalized on an old-fashioned 3-point play to give St. Lawrence a six-point cushion. 

The Bears would not go away though as it tied it at 56 with 4:13 remaining on another Estramonte 3-pointer and again at 59-59 when Adams scored a basket and a foul to convert a 3-point play. 

The Saints, who snapped a three-game losing streak, were able to knock down 3-pointers of their own, however, as Condlin and freshman guard Kyle Kobis (Elma, N.Y. / Bishop Timon-St. Jude/Berkshire School) each connected from downtown.   It was a strength all night for St. Lawrence as the Saints made 8-of-19 from long range while the Bears hit on just 4-of-14.   Kobis had 15 points while Kyle Edwards (Norwich, N.Y. / Norwich) finished with 13. 

Potsdam will open its SUNYAC schedule on the road against SUNY Cortland Friday at 8 p.m.