Box Score Potsdam 72, Utica 67 - Box Score

Utica, NY (11/15/2011) - The Utica College men's basketball held visiting Potsdam State to just ten points in the first ten minutes of the second half, but it was not enough, as the Bears fended off the Pioneers second half rally to earn a 72-67 season-opening victory Tuesday night.  Junior forward Alex Meyer (Salt Point, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) paced Utica with 10 points and 14 rebounds, while newcomers Matt Baldwin (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) and Walkery Mills each added a team-best 12 points in the Pioneer loss. 

Three-pointers from senior Reggie German (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) and junior Matt Baldwin (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) helped the Utica jump out to a four point lead, 12-8, in the first 3:22 of the contest. Potsdam answered with an 8-0 run in a span of just over three minutes to take its first lead of the contest at the 13:25 marker. 

Brad Drysdale helped the visitor's extend their lead to as many as 11 points with four minutes left in the first half, 38-27, after two buckets and a pair of free throws.  UC managed to cut the lead to seven as the first half horn sounded. 

The Pioneers used a stifling zone defense and a 12-6 run in the first 7:31 of the second half to cut their deficit to one point, 47-46, with 12:29 remaining in regulation.  However, Potsdam answered right back with a 6-1 run to take a 53-47 lead with 7:06 to go.  A few timely buckets helped the Bears advance their lead to as many as nine points on four different occasions in the final seven minutes to fend off the Pioneers attempt at a comeback. 

Four different players scored in double figures for the Bears including Rob Duquette (15), Tony Efese (14), Curtis Peirce (13) and Drysdale (12).  Peirce also added a team-high nine rebounds. 

German chipped in with ten points for Utica, while junior big man Jeff Ward (Ossining, NY/Ossining High School) added seven points and nine rebounds.  Sophomore Jevin McClondon registered eight points and three rebounds in 18 minutes of action.  Freshman guard Aaron Nevins (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) tallied eight points, three assists and two steals in his collegiate debut.  Mills, a freshman from nearby Proctor High School, had an impressive start to his collegiate career shooting 4-for-7 from the floor including two 3-pointers. 

Utica returns to the hardwood on Friday night when it travels to the Hilbert Tip-off Tournament to take on Clarkson University in first round action.  The contest is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

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