POTSDAM, N.Y. -- Dante Williams (Buffalo, N.Y. / Hutch Tech) scored 24 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds as the Fredonia men's basketball team made it a North Country sweep this weekend, dropping Potsdam, 70-61. Ian Helps (Bronx, N.Y. / Greater New York Academy) added 16 points as the Devils evened their conference record at 3-3, and improved to 6-7 overall.

It was the first time since the 2011-12 season that the men recorded a sweep in their furthest SUNYAC road trip, having defeated Plattsburgh the night before.

The game stayed close throughout. Fredonia's biggest lead of the first half -- seven points -- came at 15-8 with 12:29 left to play. Potsdam never led in the half, but did tie the game late in the frame at 29-all. A pair of free throws by Fredonia's De'Quan Smith (Rochester, N.Y. / Penfield) to close out the period gave the Devils a 31-29 lead at intermission.

A pair of layups by the Bears to start the second half gave Potsdam its first lead of the game, 33-31. There would be six more ties by the halfway point of the half, the last one coming at 44-all.

Richard De La Cruz (New York, N.Y. / Norman Thomas) connected on a pair of free throws before Potsdam's Serigne Kane nailed a three to give the Bears a 47-46 lead -- their final lead in the game -- with 9:40 remaining.

The Devils answered with a 6-0 run that included a layup by Helps, two free throws by Kareem Brown (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Brooklyn H.S. for Law & Tech) and a layup by Hodge put the Devils up by five, 52-47.  

Late in the game with Fredonia nursing a 60-57 lead with 2:18 remaining, the Devils rattled off six straight to put the game away. A layup by De La Cruz and four-of-four shooting from the line by Williams and Nicc Johnson (Buffalo, N.Y. / St. Mary's of Lancaster) put the Devils up nine, 66-57.

Johnson would also finish with the game's final basket in the closing seconds to give the final.

Both teams grabbed 40 rebounds, had 10 assists, and recorded four blocks. Fredonia had 13 turnovers and six steals compared to 14 turnovers and seven steals by Potsdam.

Just like the previous night, the Devils' big advantage came from superior shooting. They outshot Potsdam 45 percent to 33 percent from the floor, and were 19 of 24 (79 percent) from the free throw line. Potsdam was just nine of 18 from the charity stripe.

Potsdam (1-11, 0-6 SUNYAC) received 17 points from Jayquan Thomas while Kane added 11 points and nine rebounds.

Williams' 24 points marked a career high for the junior. His 10 rebounds matched his personal best. He shot seven of 13 from the floor, including a pair of threes, and was eight of 10 from the line. 

De La Cruz was held to only four points, but led the team with four assists and added seven boards. 

The Devils have only a couple days off before returning to Steele Hall on Tuesday. They take on Geneseo at 5:30 p.m. as part of a men's-women's SUNYAC doubleheader. 


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