POTSDAM, N.Y. – Sophomore Damon Brown (Staten Island/Port Richmond) scored 28 points and hit a game-tying buzzer-beater to force double-overtime, but the SUNY Potsdam men’s basketball team fell in the end to SUNYAC archrival Plattsburgh, 89-88, at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium.
The Bears (7-10, 4-4) had possession with seven seconds left in the second overtime, but could not convert a game-winning basket. The ball was inbounded to Brown who drove to the hoop and then passed to sophomore Brandon Siskavich (Peru/Peru) who missed a layup as time expired.
Brown nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner at the end of the first overtime, sending the Welsh Gym crowd into frenzy. At the end of regulation, senior Scott Mitchell (Brushton/North Country CC) missed a potential game-winner from half-court which barely missed its mark.
Senior Jehrod Hall (Syracuse/North Country CC) finished with a double-double, scoring 15 points and making 10 rebounds, for Potsdam. He also had six assists. Fellow senior Tim Reinhardt (Hilton/Hilton) scored 14 points and sophomore Brendan Graney (Ticonderoga/Ticonderoga) had 12.
Also for the Bears, Siskavich made 15 rebounds and five assists, Mitchell dished seven assists and Brown had four steals.
A quartet of juniors led the Cardinals. Their top performer was Anthony Williams (Brooklyn/Morgan State U.), who had 31 points, seven assists, six steals and six rebounds.
Khylan Hunt (Saratoga Springs/Hudson Valley CC) added 15 points and nine rebounds while Antwane Miller (Brooklyn/Paul Robeson) contributed 13 points and eight rebounds. Also, Travis Gorham (Bridgeport, Conn.) finished with a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bears will play again Saturday, January 27, on Bear Pride Night. They will host Oswego at 8 p.m.
SUNY Plattsburgh 89, SUNY Potsdam 88, (2 OT)