Utica, N.Y. — The SUNY Poly men's basketball team battled back from a second-half deficit Saturday afternoon, earning a hard-fought 66–63 victory over SUNY Canton. The Wildcats overcame an early Canton advantage and a late five-point deficit, using a strong closing stretch to secure the three-point win.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SUNY Poly opened the scoring with a three-pointer from Kamryn Comstock, who connected from beyond the arc off an assist from Kyle Dhu. Canton responded with a run of its own, getting strong contributions from Brody Hallik and Jordan Sidle to build an 11–5 advantage. The Wildcats answered with a basket from Leighton Williams Jr. before Alec Bartone added a finish inside to help Poly stay within reach.
The Wildcats continued to chip away at the deficit as the opening half progressed. Liam Noonan converted a fastbreak layup off an assist from Steven Dowdall, while Williams Jr. added a bucket to even the score at 13–13. Oumaru Hydara followed with a basket inside to give Poly its first lead, 15–13.
After Canton briefly regained the advantage, the Wildcats found their rhythm offensively. Marqiis Samuels and Hydara connected on baskets inside, while Dhu added a fastbreak layup to help Poly build momentum. Comstock converted a free throw before Samuels finished inside off an assist from Dowdall, extending the Wildcats' lead to 25–18.
Canton worked its way back into the contest behind its interior scoring, but Poly continued to find answers. Samuels converted a free throw, and Comstock added a tip-in to keep the Wildcats in front. Dhu and Samuels contributed additional points down the stretch. Hydara connected from beyond the arc in the closing minutes before Dowdall added another free throw, helping SUNY Poly carry a 37–28 advantage into halftime.
Canton came out of the break looking to erase the deficit, opening the second half with a run to cut into the Wildcats' lead. Dhu provided an early response with a tip-in, while Hydara added a three-point play to keep Poly in front. Canton continued to apply pressure, however, using a series of baskets from Arlo Peake to eventually pull even at 42–42 before taking a four-point lead at 46–42.
The two teams traded baskets throughout the middle portion of the half. Samuels converted a free throw before Hydara finished inside off an assist from Samuels. Dhu followed with a basket in the paint, while Canton continued to answer behind Hallik's scoring. Hydara added a free throw, and Dhu knocked down a pair from the line to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.
With Canton holding a 57–52 advantage with under six minutes remaining, SUNY Poly began to put together its late push. Comstock converted two free throws before Samuels added a pair of his own to bring the Wildcats closer. Hydara then finished inside off an assist from Samuels, cutting the deficit to 59–58.
The Wildcats took control in the closing minutes. Dhu converted a layup to give Poly a 60–59 advantage with 3:19 remaining. Comstock then came up with a steal before Samuels finished a fastbreak layup off a Comstock assist, extending the Wildcats' lead to 62–59. Canton responded with a pair of baskets to briefly move back in front, taking a 63–62 advantage with 52 seconds remaining.
With the game hanging in the balance, Dhu delivered another clutch finish inside off an assist from Comstock, putting the Wildcats back in front, 64–63, with 43 seconds remaining. Hydara then stepped to the free-throw line with 14 seconds left, calmly converting both attempts to extend the advantage to 66–63. Canton had one final opportunity, but the Wildcats secured the defensive rebound to seal the hard-fought three-point victory.
"Proud of our guys tonight! We really struggled with their zone but the guys stayed connected and made the plays when they had to," said head coach Rob Schoener. "Wins like that show your character as a team."
