CORTLAND, N.Y.--- The SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (9-6, 5-3 SUNYAC) defeated the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons (11-4, 5-3 SUNYAC), 78-69 on Friday night. A run by Potsdam midway through the first half gave them the lead in which they never relinquished. The Bears have now won three straight and four of their last five. Senior forward Dante Langley (Schuylerville, N.Y./Schuylerville) finished with 21 points and grabbed five rebounds for Potsdam. Justin Cooper had a game-high 24 points for Cortland.

Kenny Charles and senior forward Serigne Kane (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooklyn Prep) opened up the scoring for their respective teams in the opening seconds of the game. After Langley hit the first three-pointer of the game for the Bears, the Red Dragons responded with two of their own. After trailing 15-9 midway through the first half, junior center Kristoff Saunders' (Queens, N.Y./Queens High School of Teaching) layup helped ignite a 12-0 run by the Bears. After going four minutes without scoring, Cortland was able to get on the board with a three-pointer by Zach Lydon, which was followed by a midrange jumper by Cooper. The two teams traded baskets and free throws for the remainder of the half and Potsdam led 33-26 after 20 minutes of action.

Like the first half, Ryan Schmadel and Langley traded three-point baskets midway through the half. Senior guard Nosa Onabor (Brooklyn, N.Y./Northside Charter) joined with one of his own at the 11:20 mark as the Bears led 52-44. Potsdam took a double-digit lead after back-to-back threes from junior guard Danny Delsol-Lowry (Queens, N.Y./Queens High School of Teaching) and Langley with under five minutes to go. Ben Waiters replied with a three to keep Cortland in the game, and Potsdam called a timeout. The remainder of the game was mainly decided by free throws. With the Bears making eight free throws, they got enough stops to hold off Cortland, and win the game 78-69.

Onabor finished with 17 points with six rebounds. Junior guard Jayquan Thomas (Hollis, N.Y./Richmond Hill) had 13 points on the night.

Schmadel added 19 points and Charles chipped in with seven points, five rebounds, and three blocks.

Potsdam shot 50% from the field, while Cortland shot 40%.

This game was Potsdam's first victory at Cortland since February 7, 2003.

Potsdam returns to action against Oswego tomorrow at 3 p.m.