Willimantic, Conn. -  The SUNY Poly men's basketball lost to host team Eastern Connecticut State on Friday night 75-71. The Wildcats held a two-point lead at half, but a high-scoring second half from the Warriors proved to be the difference. With the loss, the Wildcats move to 6-6 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Anthony Rose started his strong performance by scoring the first basket of the game on an assist from LJ Randle. Rose scored 11 of his 26 points in the first half. Cheickne Toure had a strong first half as well, scoring 15 points including two three-pointers, and going 3-3 from the foul line. Josh Ernst and Randle would each have a basket in the first half to round out the scoring for the Wildcats. The Warriors were led by Esco Greene in the first half, who finished the half with 7 points including a three-pointer. The Warriors had 12 points off the bench in the first half. Going into halftime, the Wildcats would hold onto a 30-28 lead.

In the second half, the Warriors heated up offensively behind strong performances from Julian Sanchez and Dominick Dao. Sanchez would score all of his 13 points in the second half. After the Warrior went on a run to open up the half, the Wildcats would answer with an 11-point run to take a 49-44 lead. It would prove to be a game of runs in the second half, as the Warriors would again go on a run, this time taking a 64-55 lead with 3:14 to play. Despite a strong push in the final minutes, the Wildcats would not be able to complete the comeback and the Warriors would hold on for the 75-71 victory.

UP NEXT: The Wildcats will be back in action tomorrow against St. Joseph's (Me.) for the final game of the ECSU Tournament.