MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNY poly men's basketball team (14-6, 10-1 NEAC) hosted the St. Elizabeth Eagles (5-14, 2-9 NEAC) on Saturday in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) inter-divisional matchup. The Wildcats came away with a nine-point win in the game 76-67 thanks in-part to solid defensive play and a pair of 20 point scorers. 

The game was a tight contest between the two teams. The Wildcats got out to a double digit lead early, but the Wildcat offense sputtered-out, allowing the Eagles to fight their way back within two points midway through the second half. The Wildcats got their rhythm back down the stretch to keep St. Elizabeth at bay.

Malik Johnson (Highland Falls, N.Y.) was the spark for the Wildcats in the first half. Johnson scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half. Johnson attacked the paint aggressively, knocking down four of six from the field and making his way to the free throw line where he knocked down five of six. Johnson was also active on the defensive side of the ball swatting away three shots.

Redell Freeman (Rochester, N.Y.) and Kevin Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y.) each scored 20 points in the win. Freeman knocked down three 3-pointers in the game, pulled down nine rebounds, had a game high five steals, and dished out a game high six assists. Williams shot 50 percent from the field and from the charity stripe. He also had six rebounds and a steal.

For St. Elizabeth, Jason Saldiveri had a team high 17 points, three steals, two blocks, and six rebounds. Shaquan Mickens and Cam Tucker had 13 and 10 points respectively. Mikens had five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Tucker finished with three assists, three steals, and four rebounds.

As a team, the Wildcats shot 45 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range. The Wildcats had a slim advantage on the boards and had 14 steals and three steals in the game.

Up Next:

The Wildcats will host the Gallaudet Bison tomorrow at SUNY Poly's Campus Center Gym. The game is scheduled for a 12:00 PM tip-off.