UTICA, N.Y. -  The SUNY Poly men's basketball team improved to 3-4 overall, and 1-1 in North Atlantic Conference play after beating SUNY Canton 78-73 on Friday evening. Cheickne Toure paced the Wildcats, scoring 33 points including 18 from the free throw line. Anthony Rose chipped in 18 points and grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Kangaroos would jump out to a hot start on Friday evening, with Brennen Harmer knocking down a three-pointer to open the scoring. The Kangaroos would get out to an 11-4 run, before Cheickne Toure would knock down a three-pointer to cut the score to 11-7. The Kangaroos would continue their hot first half start, however, continuing their run and extending their lead to 27-15 with just under 9 minutes left to play. Dylan Ernst and LJ Randle would help the Wildcats get back into the game, cutting the lead to 27-21 at the 7-minute mark. A few minutes later, Rose and Toure would continue their great games and help give the Wildcats a 33-32 lead, their first of the game. The Kangaroos would make a layup with :02 seconds left in the half, however, and would take a 37-35 lead into halftime.

In the second half, both teams would remain within a couple of points of each other for almost the entire half. Toure would make an astonishing 16 free throws in the second half to help the Wildcats take, and maintain the lead at multiple points. The Kangaroos stayed in the game right until the end, however, with Jevonte Williams making a three-pointer with :06 seconds remaining in the game. It would be Toure again, however, who would make two critical free throws right at the end of the game to secure the victory for the Wildcats.

NOTABLE STATISTICS:

• Jevonte Williams led the Kangaroos with 23 points.
• Toure, Rose, and Dylan Ernst all finished in double digits with points.
• It was Toure's second consecutive game with 33 points.