Plattsburgh overpowers Potsdam

POTSDAM, N.Y.- Plattsburgh State (11-4, 9-1 SUNYAC) overpowers the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (8-9, 3-7 SUNYAC) 99-55 on Tuesday night at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium. Sophomore guard Jayquan Thomas (Hollis, N.Y./Richmond Hill) led the Bears with 14 points, while sophomore forward Kristoff Saunders (Queens, N.Y./Queens H.S. of Teaching) and freshman guard Dante Viskovich (Massena, N.Y./Massena) each grabbed six boards for team-highs. For the Cardinals, junior forward Jonathan Patron (Huntington, N.Y./Harborfields) recorded a double-double to 17 points and 11 rebounds for game-highs and senior guard Eli Bryant (Staten Island, N.Y./Petrides School) tallied 18 points.

 

Plattsburgh's offense hit the ground running with a 20-9 run that was started with a jumper from senior guard Zack Coleman (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley). It was capped with a dunk from senior guard Eric Mack (Long Island, N.Y./Baldwin) that junior forward Serigne Kane (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooklyn Prep) matched in Potsdam's next possession. The Bears' offense struggled to find their rhythm throughout the first half, while the Cardinals kept adding on to their lead. Plattsburgh closed out the 20-minute span with a 43-20 lead heading into halftime.

 

Patron starting the scoring in the second, with a layup followed by a 3-pointer from Coleman and another layup from Patron before junior guard Dante Langley (Schuylerville, N.Y./Schuylerville) converted his own layup to get the Bears on the board. Nothing could slow the Cardinals as the half continued on. At 10:24 minute mark, Thomas ignited an 11-4 run for the Bears with Viskovich capping it with a three-point play. Plattsburgh went on to close out the contest with a 21-13 run to seal the 99-55 victory.

 

Junior guard Nose Onabor (Brooklyn, N.Y./Northside Charter) recorded nine points and five rebounds, while Saunders chipped in eight points and Kane added five boards.

 

Junior guard Brandon Johnson (Greenburgh, N.Y./Woodlands) and sophomore guard Nick DeAngelis (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) each finished with 11 points each. Junior forward Ian Howard (Queens, N.Y./Springfield Gardens) grabbed 10 boards for the Cardinals, while Coleman and junior guard Chris Middleton (New York, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes) each dished out four assists.

 

Potsdam hits the road this weekend to battle Oneonta Friday at 7:30 p.m. and New Paltz Saturday at 3 p.m.