POTSDAM, N.Y.--- The SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (3-3, 1-0 SUNYAC) pulled away from visiting SUNY Oneonta (3-2, 0-1) in the late stages of the second half to earn a 98-86 SUNYAC opening victory on Bear Pride Night. Junior guard Jayquan Thomas (Hollis, N.Y./Richmond Hill) scored a season-high 31 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting performance. Junior guard Danny Delsol-Lowry (Queens, N.Y./Queens High School of Teaching) had a career-high 26 points on a personal best six 3-pointers.

The Bears led by as much as 18 midway through the first quarter, shooting a scorching 86 percent from the field and 5-of-6 from behind the arc. Led by the 15 points and 4-of-4 from 3-point range from Delsol-Lowry, the Bears offense was hitting on all cylinders. The Red Dragons fought to stay in the game and a 3-pointer from Oneonta forward Jacob Rodriquez (Bronx, N.Y./Mount Saint Michael) from the left corner cut the lead to 10 with 5:59 left and forced Potsdam to call a timeout. The Red Dragons continued their comeback effort, while the two teams traded baskets over the remainder of the half. First a 3-pointer from forward Carson Jacobs (Bunchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson), then junior guard Ian Schultz (Clifton Park, N.Y./CBA) read the passing lane for a steal and dished the ball to sophomore forward Sean Nolan (Voorheesville, N.Y./Vorheesville) for a finger roll got the Red Dragons to within 42-35. The teams continued to match each other and with five seconds remaining, Thomas quickly drove to the hoop and finished a right-handed layup through contact. The basket brought the score to 48-37 in favor of the Bears heading into halftime.

Thomas continued his aggressiveness in the second half, attacking the hoop once again to be awarded the basket and the foul two minutes in. However, the Red Dragons were able to finish around the rim for layups and get to the free-throw line. At the 11:02 mark, Rodriquez was awarded two free throws and hit both. On the next play, Rodriquez got the rebound after a Potsdam miss and went coast-to-coast for a score and the foul. The finished three-point play got the Red Dragons within just two at 10:49. Oneonta briefly took the lead after a 2-pointer from Jacobs made it 66-65. Down one, the Bears became more disruptive on defense and continued their offensive efficiency. A pair of free throws and senior guard Nosa Onabor's (Brooklyn, N.Y./Northside Charter) three put the home team back up five. Delsol-Lowry hit his fifth shot behind the arc at the 4:10 mark. Oneonta responded on the next play with a 3-pointer from junior guard Kevin Mackin (Nanuet, N.Y./Nanuet) to make it 82-78 with 3:56 left. Delsol-Lowry pulled up for another 3-pointer from the top of the key a couple of minutes later and sealed the game for the Bears, putting them up 11 with just over a minute left. Potsdam closed out the game with a 98-86 win.

Onabor finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three steals in the win. Senior forward Serigne Kane (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooklyn Prep) chipped in with 10 points.

Mackin led Oneonta with 22 points. Junior guard Harrison Deegan (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley) added 15 points, three assists and two steals.

Potsdam shot 56 percent from the field and 52.6 percent from behind the arc. Oneonta shot 51.6 percent from the field.

The win was Potsdam's first over Oneonta since Feb. 2, 2013, and ends a 10-game losing streak to the Red Dragons.

The Bears return to action tomorrow when they host SUNY New Paltz at 4 p.m. at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.