Kyle Edwards scored 17 of his 23 points and Ben Crawford scored 14 of his 25 points in the first half leading the St. Lawrence University Men's Basketball team to an early lead as the Saints cruised to an 88-78 win Saturday afternoon over Ithaca College at Ben Light Gymnasium in Ithaca.

Ithaca (4-2) opened up an early 5-0 lead before Crawford made a pair of jumpers to get St. Lawrence (3-4) going. The teams traded baskets back and forth over the next 10 minutes before Riley Naclerio drained a 3-ponter with 8:05 left in the first half to give the Saints a 28-25 advantage – a lead they would not relinquish.

The 3-pointer sparked a 7-1 run as the Saints took control. Edwards added a pair of 3-pointers and Crawford added a pair of free throws and St. Lawrence took a 44-37 lead into the halftime break.

Crawford opened the second half with two more layups to stretch the lead.

Ithaca rallied to tie the score at 57-57 with 10:52 on the clock but Naclerio made a three-point play and added a layup before Edwards drained a 3-pointer and Crawford went inside for two more. Kieran Miller and Crawford hit two free throws each as the Saints took a commanding 71-57 lead with 7:39 to play.

The 25 points for Crawford led the Saints and is the most for an individual player this year and the most since Brady Condlin scored 26 against Canton near the end of last season.

Naclerio finished with 19 points and Crawford grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds. Edwards had six assists and both steals recorded by the Saints on the day. St. Lawrence dominated the boards 42-25. Kyle Kobis had eight points and five rebounds while Sam Barrett added seven points and four rebounds.

The Saints return to action next Saturday to finish the first semester of action with a 4 pm game against SUNY Potsdam at Burkman Gymnasium.