BOXSCORE MEADVILLE, PA --Despite a strong performance from sophomore Ian Helps (Bronx, N.Y. / Greater New York Academy) and three players scoring in double digits, the Fredonia men's basketball team fell to Case Western, 85-74, on Friday at the Allegheny College Tip-Off Tournament.

Helps collected 26 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. He also had three blocks. Kasean Jackson (Ridgewood, N.Y. / Grover Cleveland) had 12 points and Richard De La Cruz (Washington Heights, N.Y. / Norman Thomas) added 11.

Fredonia opened the game on a layup by Helps for the initial lead. The teams then traded the lead four times before Fredonia's final advantage came five minutes into the half, 16-14, after Helps nailed a jumper.

Fredonia made a run late in the first half, closing within three points. DeLaCruz grabbed a rebound and converted a layup at the 3:17 mark to make it a 33-30 game. Case responded by nailing three pointers on the ensuing three possessions to gain a 12-point advantage, 42-30, their biggest lead of the game to that point.

Case took a 45-35 lead at the half.

The second half was evenly played, with Case outscoring the Devils, 40-39, in the frame. However, the Devils would not pull any closer than nine points in the final half.

For the game, the Devils were 16 of 17 from the line with Helps hitting eight of nine attempts. They shot four of 12 from long range, with Kareem Brown (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Brooklyn H.S. for Law & Tech) nailing both his attempts. Case Western held the advantage on the boards, 38-32. They were 20 of 25 from the line and nine of 24 from three-point range.

Case improves to 3-1. They were led Jimmy Holman with 18 points and Matt Clark with 16.

The Devils (0-2) will take on Adrian tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the David V. Wise Center at Allegheny College.