MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNYIT Men's Basketball Team (15-6, 10-4 NEAC) came up with a big comeback win at home Wednesday night, responding from an 11-point deficit in the second half to clip the defending NEAC Champion Mustangs (14-7, 10-4 NEAC) by four points.
Malcolm Jones (Syracuse, N.Y. / Fowler) had an outstanding night for the Wildcats, netting a season-high 25 points while tying for personal bests as well in rebounds (13) and blocks (3).
The normally hot-shooting Wildcats were stone cold in the first half, connecting on just 1-of-7 attempts from three point range. The Mustangs used their size and strength on the inside, as forward Kucjok Ater led all scorers with 10 points. As a team Morrisville out-rebounded the Wildcats by 10 in the first half, and knocked down 3-of-7 from behind the arc.
The second half was a different story. After opening the half down 39-32, then watching the lead balloon to 11 on a Jordan Prior free throw with 17 minutes remaining, SUNYIT began to claw back. A steal followed by a three-point play by Alexander Drake (West Sand Lake, N.Y. / Lansingburgh) cut the lead to 8 points. A pair of buckets moments later by Jones got it down to six, then an Alonzo Grainger (Syracuse, N.Y. / Liverpool) jumper cut it to four.
A few minutes later a fantastic play by Ryan James (Saratoga Springs, N.Y. / Saratoga Springs) got SUNYIT within striking distance. After missing a jumper, James followed his shot to grab his own rebound. The senior guard then spun and tossed up a leaner on the right side, getting fouled as the ball banked in. James then nailed the free throw to complete the three-point play, leaving the Wildcats down just one, 53-52, with 11:25 to go.
A block on the other end by Sallo Fofana (Bronx, N.Y. / George Washington) helped SUNYIT get the ball back, leading to a nice drive by Grainger all the way down the middle of the lane to give the Wildcats their first lead since early in the first half, 54-53. SUNYIT refused to relinquish the lead after that, though the Mustangs would tie the score three more times. In the end, it was a free throw by James and then an offensive rebound by Jones off of James's missed second attempt that gave SUNYIT the lead for the final time, 70-67. With over a minute-and-a-half still to play, the Wildcats clamped down on defense, surrendering no points over the final 90 seconds to take the victory, 71-67.
James trailed only Jones for the game-high in points, totaling 19 on 7-of-15 shooting.
Jones's 25 points and 13 rebounds gave him his third double-double of the season.
Despite a quiet night offensively with just 2 points, Fofana's 5 blocks are a season-high. The big man's presence in the middle certainly seemed to have an effect on the visitors, who shot just 38% in the second half and were victimized by 10 SUNYIT blocks on the night.
The Mustangs were led by guard Jailaan Kinsey, who scored 17 points on an efficient 6-for-7 from the field. Point guard and 1,000-point scorer Brandon Hanks had an active night on the glass, leading the team with 12 rebounds, but struggled from the field with a 3-for-11 shooting performance.
Wednesday night's game was the first of a 5-game home stand to end the regular season for the men's team. On Friday night, the Wildcats will host SUNY Cobleskill at 5 pm.