PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- The Blue Devils shot 61 percent from the floor, including 9 of 13 (69 percent) from three-point range, in taking down Plattsburgh, 86-83, in men's college basketball on Friday. Five players scored in double digits, led by Kareem Borwn (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Brooklyn H.S. for Law & Tech) with 18.
The game featured 13 lead changes and seven ties. Plattsburgh held an 83-82 lead following a layup by Jonathan Patron with 1:40 left. That would prove to be the last basket for the Cardinals.
Ian Helps converted a layup on the next possession as Fredonia regained the lead. Following a turnover by each team, Plattsburg had an opportunity to tie the game in the closing seconds.
Fredonia's
Keith Ruiz (Rockville Centre, N.Y. / South Side) came up with a steal and was immediately fouled. He connected on both free throws for his only points of the game. Plattsburgh got off a pair of desperation threes, but airballed on both attempts.
Nicc Johnson (Buffalo, N.Y. / St. Mary's of Lancaster) added 15 points for the Devils, while Helps and
Brandon Hodge (Brentwood, N.Y. / Central Islip) had 13 apiece.
Richard De La Cruz (New York, N.Y. / Norman Thomas) added 10 points and four assists. Helps was the top rebounder with seven boards, while Brown added four steals.
Plattsburgh was led by Eli Bryant with 21 points and Jonathan Patron with 17. As a team they connected on 14 three pointers and shot 45 percent from the floor.
The Cardinals held a 31-29 edge in rebounds, while the Devils held the advantage at the free-throw line, shooting 13 of 18 (72 percent) compared to 11 of 17 (65 percent) for Plattsburgh.
The Devils' largest lead of nine points occurred twice. Down 29-25 in the first half, the Devils went on a 13-0 run to take a nine point advantage, 38-29. Brown connected on a pair of three pointers during that spurt. They also led by nine, 64-55, with 12:10 left in the second half.
Plattsburgh's largest lead of seven came early in the first half at 26-19.
The Cardinals fall to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in the SUNYAC.
The Devils (5-7 / 1-3) avenged a loss to Plattsburgh earlier this season in Fredonia. They travel to Potsdam Saturday afternoon to complete the North Country trip.
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