POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam men’s basketball team stood toe-to-toe with the conference’s first-place team Saturday, but was eventually outlasted in a 53-47 loss against Oswego State in a State University of New York Athletic Conference match-up at Maxcy Hall’s Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.

The Bears (7-15 overall, 6-9 SUNYAC), who entered the day in sixth place in the league, trailed by one after a beautiful back cut and lay-up by senior guard Eddie Cross (Hudson, N.Y.) with 2:59 to play. After the two teams traded baskets, Oswego made it a two-possession game with 14 second left.

A 3-pointer by freshman Tony Efese (Spring Valley, N.Y.) on the ensuing possession carried just long, and the Lakers (19-3, 14-1) iced the game with a pair of free throws moments later.

Efese, sophomore Curtis Pierce (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and freshman Rob Duquette (Peru, N.Y.) tallied eight points apiece to lead Potsdam. Cross, who was recognized prior to the second-to-last home game of his four-year career, tallied six points and three steals in his first start of the season.

Despite shooting just 29.2 percent from the field in the first half, the Bears trailed by only five heading into the locker room. Potsdam forced 10 turnovers in the period, offsetting a 52.2-percent shooting clip by Oswego.

The Bears made a 9-0 run to take a 34-32 lead, their only advantage in the second half, with 11:19 to play. The Lakers scored on a 3-point play on the following possession, and led the rest of the way.

Oswego, which is receiving votes in the d3hoops.com Top 25 rankings, finished the game shooting 44 percent from the field. The Bears finished at 31.9 percent.

Potsdam closes out its regular season home schedule this Tuesday against Plattsburgh. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.