Men's Basketball Falls to SUNY Potsdam in North Country Invitational Championship Game

POTSDAM, N.Y. – Junior guard Nosa Onabor (Brooklyn, N.Y.) posted a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead the SUNY Potsdam men's basketball team to an 85-78 victory over visiting Bridgewater State University in the championship game of the 2017 North Country Classic.

Onabor garnered tournament MVP honors as he averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds in Potsdam's two wins.

Sophomore forward Rayshon Ward (Plymouth, Mass.) and senior forward Joseph Carty (Natick, Mass.) earned all-tournament accolades for Bridgewater State. Ward poured in 23 points on 9 of 12 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and two steals in the championship game setback, while Carty tallied 17 points and eight boards. Eleven of Carty's 17 points came from the free throw line as he went 11-for-13 from the stripe.

Potsam held a 37-31 lead at the break and extended that advantage to 17 points (69-52) following a pair of Dante Langley (Schuylerville, N.Y.) free throws with 6:39 remaining in the second half.

Bridgewater State came roaring back as a 17-4 run over the next four minutes made it a four-point game, 73-69, with just 2:27 left to play. Carty and sophomore guard Ryan Carney (Easton, Mass.) each scored six points during the run while Ward added five including a three-point jumper.

That, however, would be as close as Bridgewater State would get. Onabor scored the next four points on free throws and Potsdam went 10-for-12 at the free throw line over the final 2:09 to secure the 85-78 win.

Senior guard Rocky DeAndrade (Mansfield, mass.) added 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals for Bridgewater State, while Carney checked in with 12 points.

There were 70 free throws attempted in the game. Potsdam went 27-for-38 (71%) at the line, while Bridgewater State was 25-for-32 (78%).

In upcoming action, Bridgewater State (1-2) entertains Rhode Island College on Tuesday night at 7:30.