UTICA, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly men's basketball team earned their third North Atlantic Conference (NAC) win of the season on Saturday 87-63 over the University of Maine-Presque Isle. The Wildcats outscored the Owls by 26 points in the first half thanks in part to 13 points by Jesse O'Dell and 12 points from Cheickne Toure. The Wildcats are now 8-9 this season with a 3-4 record in NAC play.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Wildcats dominated on the glass and in the paint. They outrebounded the Owls 46-32 and outscored UMPI 46-30 in the paint. The Wildcats led by as many as 31 points in the game. They played tenacious defense, creating 26 points off of 15 turnovers and recording seven blocks as a team. Five players recorded double-digit point totals in the game and another two scored at least seven points.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Jesse O'Dell had a game-high 19 points for the Wildcats. He shot 9-14 from the field and pulled down seven rebounds.
• Cheickne Toure had 17 points in the game. He had a game-high three 3-pointers, a steal, an assist, and a rebound.
• Anthony Rose had a career-high 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for the Wildcats to record his first career double-double. He also had a steal and a block in the game.
• Levi Spina and Mitch Kernizan rounded out the Wildcat's double-digit scorers with 11 and 12 points respectively.
• Akhe McMichael led the Owls with 14 points. He shot 66% from the field and had a pair of assists.
• Griffin Guerrette and Gilbert Jean Mendez had 11 and 10 points respectively for UMPI.   

UP NEXT:

The Wildcats will travel to SUNY Delhi next weekend for a NAC West Division matchup with the Broncos on the road. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 tip-off on Friday, January 20th.  

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SUNY Poly is New York's globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, game design, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world's most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.