Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly men's basketball team defeated the Russell Sage Gators 75-65. Four Wildcats scored in double digits, led by Anthony Rose and Cheickne Toure, who both finished with 19 points. Kamryn Comstock contributed a double-double with 10 points and 18 rebounds. With the win, the Wildcats improve to 10-6 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game began with the Gators scoring first, but the Wildcats quickly responded with strong defense and regained the lead. Both teams struggled with missed opportunities, including several layups and three-pointers, but SUNY Poly's defense kept pressure on Russell Sage, forcing turnovers and converting those into fast-break points. Contributions from the Wildcats' deep bench, including key shots from Dylan Ernst and Jarrett Wilbur, helped push their lead to 17-10. Despite Russell Sage's persistence, SUNY Poly continued to respond, building a 19-12 lead.
With just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half, the Wildcats expanded their advantage thanks to consistent scoring from Rose and key rebounding from Comstock. Rose capped off a strong finish to the half, hitting a jumper at 5:27 and a layup at 3:20, which kept the Wildcats up by double digits, 35-26. They entered halftime leading 40-31.
The Wildcats came out strong in the second half, with Toure hitting a three-pointer early to extend the lead. Russell Sage tried to mount a comeback, with Deavion Springsteen hitting key free throws, but SUNY Poly answered each time. Inside play from Rose and LaMarqus Merchant Jr. helped stretch the lead to 51-36 with 16:22 remaining.
Russell Sage showed some fight, pulling within single digits with a couple of steals and baskets from Green and Williamson, but SUNY Poly held steady. In the final minutes, the Wildcats' clutch free throw shooting sealed the 75-65 win at home.
"I loved how we defended tonight, and Kam was an absolute monster on the glass!" said head coach Rob Schoener. "We want to be a team that hangs its hat on defense, and tonight was a great step in the right direction against a really good Sage team."
