Uniontown, PA – The SUNY Canton men's basketball team battled back-and-forth in a highly entertaining game in the opening round of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Tournament but fell late, 70-66, to the three seed Concordia College Alabama on Wednesday afternoon.

SUNY Canton (19-4) led by as many as six in the opening half as they opened up a 20-14 advantage after Kam Peterkin (Harlem, NY) knocked down a three-pointer off a pass from Vonallen Pickett (Brooklyn, NY) with 10:31 remaining in the opening half.

Sam Annorh (Queens, NY) led all players with 14 points in the first half, while Peterkin came off the bench to hit three of his four treys for nine points. Romario Fletcher (Queens, NY) added eight points, six rebounds and four assists.

SUNY Canton outrebounded Concordia-Alabama 34-16 in the first half and committed just two fouls compared to eight for the Hornets (14-12). The teams headed into intermission tied at 38-38. Kendrick Atwood paced Concordia with 13 points, while Shaquille Duncan added 11 points.

The teams traded the lead back-and-forth early in the second half with SUNY Canton opening up a five point advantage. The Hornets battled back pounding the ball inside to Duncan and they opened up the largest lead of the game at 67-60 with 2:55 remaining.

Fletcher scored a bucket inside and Pickett nailed a pair of free throws to get the Roos within 67-64 with 2:06 remaining. Duncan finished a layup and Peterkin answered with two free-throws with 42 seconds to play.

SUNY Canton forced a turnover with 27 seconds remaining as they had the ball in a one possession game. Annorh had an open look from the left corner to tie the game with 18 seconds left. Guy Barnes split one of two free throws to push the lead back to a two possession game as Concordia held on for the victory.

Annorh led the Roos with 21 poionts and added four assists, while Peterkin had a big game off the bench with 14 points hitting four of his six attempts from deep. Fletcher posted a double-double on 12 pointsa nd 11 rebounds to go with five assists, while Pickett added 10 points and six boards. Matt Spencer (Gouverneur, NY) had a solid outing in his second to last game as a Roo with seven points, three rebounds and two blocks on 3-for-4 shooting.

Duncan led all players with 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Atwood tallied 16 points. Justin Brown and Jamie Washington chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The men's basketball team moves to the consolation bracket where it will close out its season on Thursday at 10 a.m. when it faces Berea College.