Cardinal Points

Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Sean Kaschak Senior Travis Gorham drives down the baseline while being guarded by Potsdam forward Tim Reinhardt during a Friday night game in Memorial Hall. [Click to enlarge]

For a team that relies heavily on a core group of seniors, the No. 14 Plattsburgh State men's basketball team was able to turn the tide against Potsdam Friday night thanks to the help of two promising freshmen.

Down by two in the second half, freshman guard Chris Ruiz stole an errant Bears' pass and converted a layup to tie the game. A few possessions later, fellow freshman Errol Daniyan grabbed an offensive board after his own missed shot and drew a foul.

After missing his first free-throw, Daniyan sank the second to give the Cardinals a lead they would not relinquish, beating North Country and SUNYAC-rival Potsdam 87-78 in front of a packed crowd at Memorial Hall.

"What they really do is give us a lot of energy," PSUC Head Coach Tom Curle said of the two freshmen. "I thought at that point it's what we really needed."

The Cardinals (19-2 overall) remain an unbeaten 12-0 in conference play. The team has now won 12 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in school history.

Although the two freshmen played a key role in the win, it was the second-half resurgence of the Cardinals most prolific player that helped them put the game out of reach.

Pre-season all-American Anthony Williams suffered through a terrible first half. The senior had as many points - two - as turnovers. The Bears often face-guarded him and sent a double team nearly every time he touched the ball. Without an effective Williams, the Cardinals went into the half with the Bears leading 31-29.

Williams drained his first shot on the first possession of the second half, a three-pointer that put the Cardinals ahead by one. It was only the beginning for Williams, who scored 24 of his game-high 26 points and went to the line 18 times - converting 15 - in the second half.

Senior Travis Gorham carried the Cards through the first half with 11 points and nine boards. He finished the game with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Ruiz added 11 points and senior Khylan Hunt had nine points and 15 rebounds before fouling out.

Damon Brown led the Bears (8-13, 4-8 SUNYAC) with 20 points and Alvin Dike had 19. Brandon Siskavich was a rebound shy of a double double, contributing 13 points and nine rebounds.

The game drew so many people to Memorial Hall that University Police officers had to turn away people at the doors.

The Cardinals continue finish up a three game home stand next weekend, hosting New Paltz (on Friday (8 p.m.) and Oneonta (11-11, 6-7 SUNYAC) Saturday,. in Memorial Hall.

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