MARCY, N.Y.- The SUNYIT Men's Basketball team (12-6, 7-4 NEAC) rode a fast start to defeat the Keuka College Storm (5-14, 3-11 NEAC) 89-76 in a tough NEAC battle.

The Wildcats quickly jumped out to a 10 point lead early in the first half on a Ryan James (Saratoga Springs, N.Y. / Saratoga Springs) and 1 just 6 minutes in. Keuka stayed tough throughout the half however keeping the lead in the single digits. The tide changed quickly when freshmen forward Sallo Fofana (Bronx, N.Y. / George Washington) rebounded a blocked Storm shot, ran the floor and threw down a huge alley-oop from Ryan James over a Keuka defender. The Wildcats rode the momentum to an 18-4 run and closed the first half up 47-33.

Keuka battled through the second half but was unable to overcome the Wildcat's sharp shooting.  Back to back and ones for the Wildcats, followed by a quick 3 by Alonzo Grainger (Syracuse, N.Y. /Liverpool) late in the second half proved to be too much as the Wildcats came out victorious.

The Wildcats were able to shoot a combined 49% from the field including 43% from beyond the arc. Kaleel Johnson (Syracuse, N.Y. / Syr. Acad. Of Science) led all scorers with 18 points, and Malcolm Jones (Syracuse, N.Y. / Fowler) added 16 to lead the balanced attack. Keuka College was led by Adam Starks who tallied 13 points and 4 rebounds in the game.

The Wildcats are in action this weekend as they travel to Penn St. Abington Saturday for a tough NEAC test.