NEW PALTZ, N.Y. -- The Fredonia men's basketball team held a 12-point lead at halftime, but could not hang on in a 72-62 loss at New Paltz. Ian Helps (Bronx, N.Y. / Greater New York Academy) led the Devils with 16 points and Kay Jackson (Ridgewood, N.Y. / Grover Cleveland) added 12. Isaiah Ice (Bronx, N.Y. / Iona Prep) had a team-high eight rebounds.

Fredonia led 6-0 and quickly worked up to a 10-point lead, 14-4. Jackson had six of the team's first 14 points.

Fredonia's biggest lead of 16 came following back-to-back threes by Colden George (North Java, N.Y. / Attica) and a layup by Helps, to give them a 36-20 advantage with 2:53 left in the first.

The Devils led 38-26 at the half as Helps had 10 points and George had eight.

New Paltz regrouped and outscored the Devils 20-6 over the first 8:21 of the second half. A three-pointer by Tristan Wissemann put the Hawks up 46-44. Wissemann hit a three on the next possession, and a layup by Brandon Guest extended the run to 25-6 as the Hawks then led 51-44.

Fredonia's Jackson nailed a three halfway through the period to end the run. 

After a pair of free throws by Wissemann, the Devils got a layup from Helps and a pair of free throws and a layup by Ice to tie the game at 53.

The teams traded baskets to tie the game again at 55 with 5:51 to play. New Paltz scored the next three baskets to take the lead for good.

The Hawks (6-11 overall / 3-7 SUNYAC) were led by Guest with 18 points on 9 of 11 shooting to go along with eight rebounds. Wissemann added 13 points.

The Devils (2-15 / 0-11) travel to Buffalo State next weekend.