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Potsdam men's hoops falls short against Nazareth in 87-79 loss

Posted 12/18/16

WILLIAMSPORT, P.A.- Despite a strong offensive performance from freshman guard Jayquan Thomas (Hollis, N.Y./Richmond Hill), the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (1-8) fell to Nazareth College (5-3) …

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Potsdam men's hoops falls short against Nazareth in 87-79 loss

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WILLIAMSPORT, P.A.- Despite a strong offensive performance from freshman guard Jayquan Thomas (Hollis, N.Y./Richmond Hill), the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (1-8) fell to Nazareth College (5-3) 87-79 to open the Lycoming Crosstown Challenge at Lamade Gymnasium. Thomas led both teams and had a career-high 33 points in the loss, while Tyler Stenglein led the Golden Flyers with 18 points and seven rebounds.

Both teams battled during the opening minutes of the half which included five different lead changes. The Bears held the slight scoring advantage and got out their largest lead of the game with nine at the 12:32 minute mark after a 3-pointer from junior guard Kevin Baksh (Queens, N.Y./Richmond Hill). Thomas recorded two 3-point plays during the span. Nazareth answered by going on a 12-4 run that closed the gap to one with 8:59 reminding in the first. Potsdam's lead shifted between one and five points over the next five minutes before Nazareth took the lead with a three from Daniel Jacob. The Golden Flyers extended their lead to six twice, but another 3-point play from Thomas closed out the half with the Bears down by three.

Sophomore guard Sergne Kane (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooklyn Prep) completed the popular 3-point play to start the second half and tied the contest at 40-all. Potsdam took the lead back after a steal from Thomas followed by a fast break layup, but Nazareth quickly answered with eight straight points for a seven point lead. At 15:39, Potsdam went on a 10-2 run that was ignited by another layup from Thomas. The run was capped with a dunk from Kane and the Bears took the one point lead. Josh Gillard hit from behind the arch for the Golden Flyers and took the lead right back. The lead teetered with the advantage to Nazareth until the 4:54 mark with five points from Stenglein, which was followed by the teams went basket-for-basket to close out the game with Nazareth taking the 87-79 victory.

Kane finished with a game-high eight rebounds and tacked on 14 points for Potsdam, while Nosa Onabor (Brooklyn, N.Y./Northside Charter) added 13 points. Thomas also had four steals on the night and sophomore captain Dante Langley (Schuylerville, N.Y./Schuylerville) contributed nine points and five boards.

Cody Green and Jake Burgio totaled 16 and 15 points, respectively. Josh Gillard tallied 12 points and Brendan Wind kicked in 11.

Potsdam shot 53.7-percent from the floor and Nazareth finished by going 41.8-percent.

The Bears are back in action tomorrow when they take on host team Lycoming College at 1 p.m.