MARCY, N.Y. – On the heels of a big win for the women's basketball team, the men's team stepped up in their own right Wednesday night, beating Cobleskill for the second time in a week, 81-73. The Wildcats benefited from a huge game out of Ryan James (Saratoga Springs, N.Y. / Saratoga Springs). James poured in a game-high 28 points while pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds as well, the latter a particularly impressive statistic a 6-foot guard.

After winning a game that was close wire-to-wire a week ago at Cobleskill, the Wildcats wasted no time in Wednesday's contest, jumping out to a 34-21 lead at the half. SUNYIT shot 50% from the field for the half and improved to 54% for the game.

The Fighting Tigers, for their part, didn't fare too poorly with a 47% clip, but this masked an abysmal first half in which the visitors connected on just 28% of their shot attempts.

For the Tigers it was Mike Marcelin leading the way with 19 points on an efficient 9 for 13 shooting performance. Cobleskill actually put four players in double figures, but the difference in the game was three-point shooting: SUNYIT knocked down 7 for 13 from long range while holding the visitors to just 1 of 10.

Besides James, SUNYIT was aided by a big game from forward T'Andre Richardson (Utica, N.Y. / Utica-Proctor). The sophomore scored 20 points on 7 of 12 from the field, and did so with authority as 3 of his 7 made attempts came on dunks.

While the Tigers rallied late to make things close, SUNYIT's substantial lead in the second half allowed some hard-working reserves to show their stuff late in the game. None did so better than Michael Saporito (Utica, N.Y. / Utica-Proctor). The freshman scored his first four points of the game in going 2-2 with 2 rebounds in just a few minutes of work. The lefty scored his first bucket off a teammate's miss, with the play producing the loudest cheers of the night as the SUNYIT starters jumped out of their bench seats.

The Wildcats will look for continued success on their home stand to end the season: the team plays three out of the next four at home, beginning with Keuka this Saturday. Game time is set for 3:00 pm.