UTICA, N.Y. -  The SUNY Poly men's basketball team beat Vermont State Johnson on Saturday afternoon 82-71. With the win, the Wildcats improve to 4-4 overall, and 2-1 in North Atlantic Conference play. Cheickne Toure continued his hot scoring hand, recording a team-high 28 points in the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED: After both teams played conference games the day before, neither team lacked energy on Saturday afternoon as the first half consisted of 5 lead changes, and a total of 79 points. The Wildcats were able to extend to an early lead behind the help of LJ Randle, Cheickne Toure, and Josh Ernst. The Wildcats would lead 18-11 before a Badgers run would eventually tie the game at 24-24. Both teams would exchange baskets in the last few minutes of the half, with the difference coming at the end when Randle made a layup with :05 seconds left to give the Wildcats a 40-39 lead heading into halftime.

In the early part of the second half, both teams would each have the lead before the Badgers took their largest lead of the game with 6:30 to play on a Chase Matlock layup to give them a 65-59 lead. Brandon Holmes would answer for the Wildcats, however, to cut the Badgers lead to 65-62.With 4:13 to play, the Wildcats would retake the lead on an Anthony rose layup to give the Wildcats a 68-67 lead. The Wildcats would rely on free throws the rest of the way to create separation on the scoreboard, and would hang on for a 82-71 win.

NOTABLE STATISTICS:

• Cheickne Toure finished with a team-high 28 points. Anthony Rose and LJ Randle both finished with 17 points.
• Raymod Bake and Nazir Gossette both finished with 20+ point performances for the Badgers.