NEW PALTZ, N.Y. -- The Fredonia men's basketball team continued its recent trend of close games, edging New Paltz 66-64 on Friday. The previous two games saw the Devils play overtime contests against Brockport, a win, and Buffalo State, a loss.

The win improves the Devils to 4-5 in the SUNYAC at the halfway mark of conference play. Overall, they stand at 5-10.

Tied at 64, Ian Helps (Bronx, N.Y. / Greater New York Academy) converted the game-winning layup with 1:12 remaining to produce the final score. The Hawk's Nick Paquette got off a three at the buzzer that failed, as neither team was able to find any offense in the final minute.

Helps turned in another solid performance with 26 points and 15 rebounds, including a 15-for-16 effort from the line. Kareem Brown (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Brooklyn H.S. for Law & Tech) added 16 and Kasean Jackson (Ridgewood, N.Y. / Grover Cleveland) had nine off the bench.

The Devils used a significant advantage at the free-throw line to earn the win. The Devils were 22 of 27 (82 percent), while the Hawks were slowed by six of 11 (56 percent) shooting. Fredonia also had the advantage on the boards, 40-33.

New Paltz led much of the game. After a Helps jumper tied the game at 13- all early on, New Paltz went on a 15-4 run to take an 11-point lead, 28-17, its biggest of the game.

New Paltz would hold the lead until the 10:44 mark of the second half. A layup by freshman Jared Fish put Fredonia up 51-50. 

There would be two more ties and three lead changes, the last coming on the game winner by Helps.

New Paltz (1-12, 0-7) was led by Paquette with 14 points, and R.J. Rosa with 10.

Fredonia (5-10, 4-5) travels to Oneonta on Saturday.