MARCY, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly men's basketball team (6-9, 5-2 NEAC) beat Penn College (2-15, 1-9 NEAC) 70-58 Sunday afternoon for the team's fourth-straight victory.
A tight first half found the Wildcats trailing until the final minutes of the period. Down 26-24 with 5:09 to go, SUNY Poly was sparked by a Ryan McCarthy (Camden, N.Y. / Camden) three and strong team defense. The home team ended the half on an 11-3 run and went into the locker room up 35-29.
The second half remained close but SUNY Poly never lost the lead. Kaleel Johnson (Syracuse, N.Y. / Syr. Acad. of Science) put together yet another big game, finishing with 20 points and 9 rebounds, leading the Wildcats in the latter category. His 20 points give him five straight games in double-figures, raising his average to 12.3 ppg.
The freshman McCarthy continues to find his stroke from long range - he led all scorers with 23 points on 9 of 18 from the field and 5 of 10 from beyond the arc. McCarthy and Johnson each scored 13 points in the second half when the Wildcats were able to really take control - they were helped by Maverick Hodge (Bronx, N.Y. / Samuel Gompers) who contributed 16 points and 5 rebounds. The visitors quite simply were unable to keep Hodge out of the lane, and the junior guard made them pay for it by drawing plenty of fouls, finishing the game 10 for 13 from the free throw line.
The unsung hero of the game was point guard Michael Boyea (Chateaugay, N.Y. / Chateaugay). The junior dished out a team-high 7 assists, providing oil to the Wildcat machine in the form of great decision-making with the basketball (Boyea recorded just one turnover on the day).
The Wildcats have yet another important home game next, as they host NEAC rival Cazenovia this Wednesday. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
