POTSDAM, N.Y.--- The SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (7-6, 3-3 SUNYAC) defeated Buffalo State (3-8, 1-4 SUNYAC) 79-76 on Friday night. Clutch free throws and defense in the closing moments of the game lifted the Bears over the Bengals. Senior forward Dante Langley (Schuylerville, N.Y./Schuylerville) led all scorers with 25 points. Junior guard Jayquan Thomas (Hollis, N.Y./Richmond Hill) added 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting and 3-of-5 from behind the arc.

After struggling from behind the arc to begin the game, the Bears hit back-to-back three-pointers six minutes into the contest. First by Langley at the top of the key, followed by another three-pointer by senior guard Nosa Onabor (Brooklyn, N.Y./Northside Charter) on their next offensive possession. This was part of a 10-2 run by the Bears. The Bears enjoyed a comfortable 10 point lead midway through the first half until the Bengals stormed back and trimmed the lead to five with Jordan Christopher's offensive putback with 6:01 left in the half. The teams traded baskets and the Bengals made it a one possession game after Dom Grayer sinked a three-pointer with a hand in his face. The Bears responded and just like the beginning of the quarter went on a 10-2 stretch which was capped off by junior guard Danny Delsol-Lowry's (Queens, N.Y./Queens High School of Teaching) and-one basket. Potsdam led 41-30 going into the second half.

The Bears led by as much as 12 in the second half, after a shot inside by Langley. Klay Grant's layup was the first field goal of a 17-5 run by the Bengals at the 14:26 mark. Buffalo State was eventually able to trim the 12 point lead down to just one after Sheldon Adam's three, then Ryniek Holloway's pair of free throws. Down 55-56, the Bengals looked to take a two point lead with a three, but it rimmed out. Grant was able to get the offensive rebound and draw contact to earn free throws and take the one point lead. With the game being close, both teams upped their physicality, which resulted in more free throws. With free throws by Adams, Buffalo State took their largest lead (3) to this point at the 7:33 mark. Langley was able to tie the game at 61 with an and-one shortly after. With five and a half minutes remaining, both teams heated up from behind the arc. Buffalo State took a six point lead after a three from Holloway, then after an offensive rebound on the next possession, Dom Grayer sinked his fifth three of the game. After a steal from Delsol-Lowry, Onabor kept the Bears in the game with a three-pointer from the corner to make the game 68-65. Down 74-72 with just over a minute, Potsdam was able to get a stop and Thomas drilled a much needed three pointer to give them their first lead since midway through the second half. Coming out of the timeout, Yosh Bernandez converted on a reverse layup for the Bengals. Thomas immediately responded by making a layup of his own off of a pick. Buffalo State looked to regain the lead but were called for a charge. With the Bears having the one point lead and the ball, the Bengals looked to bring pressure and was able to force a turnover. With a chance to take the lead, Buffalo State missed a three pointer and got the offensive rebound, but Christopher Jordan caught the ball while out of bounds. After being intentionally fouled, Delsol-Lowry made both free throws and the Bengals missed the three to tie. The Bears came way with the 79-76 win.

This was Potsdam's first victory over Buffalo State since January 19, 2007, in a 94-76 victory.

Buffalo State had five different players scoring in double digits. Dom Grayer had 15 points on five three pointers to lead Buffalo State. Jordan added 11 points and nine rebounds, Grant had a double-double with 13 points and 12 boards, and Holloway added 12 points.

The Bears shot 48% from the field and 35% from behind the arc. The Bengals shot 33% from the field and 36% from behind the arc.

The Bears are back in action tomorrow at 4 p.m. when they take on the Fredonia Blue Devils at the Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.