By: by Matt Palisin, Asst. SID
BOXSCORE
BOX SCORE
FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Down 32-27 at halftime, the Fredonia State men's basketball team opened the second half with a 14-0 run and held off a late Plattsburgh rally to take a 70-63 victory in Steele Hall.
The Devils improved to 8-6 overall and 3-5 in the conference. Plattsburgh falls to 6-8 and 4-4 in SUNYAC play.
Plattsburgh led 32-27 after a first half that featured five lead changes. The Cardinals John Perez led all scorers with 11 points.
Julius Bryant led the Devils with 8.
The Devils' opening run in the second half came over the first six-and-a-half minutes.
Leonard Smith started the rally with a layup and scored the last five points of the run to put the Devils up 41-32.
Shavar Fields two free throws at 13:39 were the Cardinals first points of the half.
Plattsburgh clawed back in and eventually took the lead at 6:32 when Mike Mitchell knocked down a three pointer to give the Cardinals a 52-50 edge.
The Devils responded with a thundering dunk on a fast break by
Kevin Mitchell to tie it at 52-all. After a missed jumper by the Cardinals,
Amir Billups nailed a three to make it 55-52. Plattsburgh was called for a foul immediately after the shot and Mitchell nailed two free throws making it 57-52.
From there, the Devils held the lead the rest of the way, with Plattsburgh twice coming within two points of tieing the game.
Both teams had four players score in double figures.
The Devils were led by Bryant and Billups with 17 apiece. Billups connected for five three-point baskets. Smith added 11 and Mitchell finished with 10.
Plattsburgh's Shavar Fields had 17 points and Reggie Williams had 15. Mike Mitchell and Jordon Moody had 11 apiece.
The Devils held a 34-26 advantage on the boards.
The Devils play host to Potsdam at 4 p.m on Saturday.
