POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam men’s basketball game rode a strong first-half performance Saturday to a 78-69 victory against Fredonia State in a State University of New York Athletic Conference affair at Maxcy Hall’s Welsh Gymnasium.

The Bears (5-10 overall, 4-4 SUNYAC) shot 48.9 percent for the game and made 28-of-35 from the free throw line to offset a 50-percent shooting performance by the Blue Devils. Potsdam, which was coming off a tough 83-81 defeat against Buffalo State on Friday, outscored Fredonia 28-5 at the free throw line.

“I thought we bounced back well after a touch loss last night,” Potsdam coach Sherry Dobbs said. “Our energy early was good. We covered shooters defensively and rebounded the ball well.”

Potsdam led 40-27 at the half and quickly extended its lead to 19 points with 17:36 to play in the second. However, Fredonia (5-9, 2-6) quickly closed the gap to 46-41 after a layup with 12:29 left in regulation.

The Blue Devils would get no closer, as the Bears executed in the half court and converted 17-of-22 (77.3 percent) from the free throw line in the second period.

“(Fredonia) did a good job pressuring defensively, and we didn’t handle it very well,” Dobbs said. “When we got the ball to the middle of the floor against their press, good things happen. (Sophomore) Curtis Pierce and (sophomore) Jordan McAllister made some clutch free throws down the stretch.”

Senior captain Anthony Williams (Long Island, N.Y.) led a balanced offensive attack with 16 points as seven Potsdam players scored at least eight points. McAllister (Cornwall, Ontario) finished 9-of-10 from the free throw line, while freshman Rob Duquette (Peru, N.Y.) continued his solid rookie campaign with 15 points and five rebounds. Senior Eddie Cross (Hudson, N.Y.) and freshman Tony Efese (Spring Valley, N.Y.) finished with 10 and 12 points, respectively, off the bench.

“We were very balanced, and I was especially proud of our bench,” Dobbs said. “Eddie Cross, (freshman) Colin Peterson, (junior) Wes Francisco and Tony Efese gave us a great lift. It was like having four more starters out there.”

Potsdam begins a stretch of five straight road games on Friday, Jan. 28, at New Paltz. Tip-off in New Paltz, N.Y., is set for 8 p.m.