MARCY, N.Y. – A big night from SUNYIT (15-7, 10-5 NEAC) leading scorer Ryan James (Saratoga Springs, N.Y. / Saratoga Springs) wasn't enough to stop a streaking SUNY Cobleskill team (9-12, 8-7 NEAC), who are winners of 6-straight after a 73-64 victory over the Wildcats on Friday night.

Junior guard Alexis Nunez led all scorers with 28 points. Nunez was hitting on all cylinders, making 8 of 11 from the field, 4 of 5 from behind the arc, and 8 of 9 from the free throw line.

Early on the Fighting Tigers gave SUNYIT trouble in the paint. The physical play of Brandon Smith resulted in Malcolm Jones (Syracuse, N.Y. / Fowler) to pick up two early fouls. Jones ended up turning in a solid performance, recording a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds to go along with 4 blocks – but was limited to just 24 minutes.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Smith finished the game second to Nunez in points for the Fighting Tigers, chipping in 19 on 8-of-14 from the field.

The Wildcats struggled against the half-court pressure of SUNY Cobleskill, but seemed to figure it out midway through the half, as they were able to kick the ball out for some good looks from three-point range. James knocked down three of SUNYIT's four long-balls in the first half, including one at the 7:35 mark that pulled the Wildcats within three, down 21-18. The Tigers would rally from there, however, closing the half on a 15-6 run to take a 36-24 lead into the half.

Cobleskill kept the lead in double-digits for most of the second half; to the Wildcats credit, though, the home team fought until the end, even making it a seven-point game with just over a minute to play on an Alonzo Grainger (Syracuse, N.Y. / Liverpool) three-pointer.

Ultimately, SUNYIT just couldn't come up with enough shots to win. The Wildcats were out shot on the game 52% to 42%, and made an uncharacteristic 22 turnovers.

James finished as the team's leading scorer with 23 points, improving his team-leading average to 16.0 ppg. The 6-foot guard also pulled down 7 rebounds, which were second only to Jones's 11.

SUNYIT will have a day off before hosting Cazenovia College in another NEAC matchup. That game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 pm, to precede the women's game at 3 pm.