NEW PALTZ, N.Y. --- The SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team (13-11, 9-8 SUNYAC) defeated SUNY New Paltz (14-10, 9-8 SUNYAC) on Friday night. After what was a close game all throughout, junior guard Danny Delsol-Lowry (Queens, N.Y./Queens High School of Teaching) and senior forward Dante Langley (Schuylerville, N.Y./Schuylerville) each made the key plays late to edge New Paltz. Langley led the Bears with 20 points and pulled down six rebounds. Delsol-Lowry finished with 13 points and eight rebounds on the night.

To begin the game, the Bears focused their attack on the interior, leading to free throws and

successful drives. Thomas scored five of the Bears first seven points off his drives and ability to get to the free throw line. The Hawks took their first lead of the game at the 17:21 mark after Jake Passaretti's three pointer. Midway through the first half, both teams exchanged leads. Potsdam continued to get to the line to end the half and led 27-26 at the break.

Senior forward Serigne Kane (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooklyn Prep) opened up the scoring in the second half with a post-move for the Bears, and Paddy Parr quickly responded with a layup of his own. Langley put the Bears up four with a three pointer from the right wing off the drive and kick from junior guard Jayquan Thomas (Hollis, N.Y./Richmond Hill). After both teams went cold, the Hawks regained the lead after Cory Garcia dished the ball to Nick Paquette for a three, then Isaiah Bien-Aise hit a floater from the restricted area. After going scoreless for three minutes, Delsol-Lowry put an end to the Bears drought with a three, then Langley hit a midrange jumper. With 2:52 remaining, Passaretti hit two free throws to put the Hawks up 52-49. After drawing a foul, Thomas hit both free throws to bring the Bears to within one. At the 1:27 mark, Delsol-Lowry pulled up for a three and gave the Bears a 54-52 lead, forcing a Hawks timeout. After calling a timeout, the Bears made it a two possession game after Langley finished inside through contact. The Hawks down 4 with seven seconds left, were forced to foul and sent Delsol-Lowry to the line who made one of two. Coming back down on the other end, Passaretti drilled a deep three, making the score 57-55. After the Bears called a timeout senior guard Nosa Onabor (Brooklyn, N.Y./Northside Charter) was sent to the line where he made both free throws with two seconds left, securing the 59-55 victory.

Thomas added 11 points and three assists for the Bears. Matthew English had 9 points, Paquette, Tristan Wissemann and Bien-Aise all finished with seven for New Paltz.

Potsdam shot 46 percent from the floor, while the New Paltz shot 39 percent. The Bears outrebounded the Hawks 38-29.

Potsdam will play their final game of the regular season tomorrow against Oneonta at 4 p.m.