Howard Double-Doubles With Career High 18 Rebounds; Johnson Makes Buzzer Beater Three-Pointer In No.

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The No. 17 Plattsburgh State men's basketball team opened up the New Year with a thrilling 79-76 win over Potsdam on Tuesday evening inside Memorial Hall. Plattsburgh State improves to 10-2 overall and 4-1 in the SUNYAC while Potsdam falls to 6-6 overall and 2-3 in the conference. Senior forward Ian Howard (Queens, N.Y./Springfield Gardens) double-doubled with a career high of 18 rebounds and scored 12 points along with three blocks and three steals. Senior guard/forward Chris Middleton (New York, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes) had 17 points while senior guard Brandon Johnson (Greenburgh, N.Y./Woodlands) and senior forward Jonathan Patron (Huntington, N.Y. / Harborfields) each scored 15 points. Plattsburgh State out-rebounded Potsdam 49-34 with senior forward Isaiah Hill (Brooklyn, N.Y./HS for Dual Language and Asian Studies) picking up nine and junior forward Adam Jaquish (Moriah, N.Y./Moriah) having seven. The first half was tied three times and the lead changed five times. Potsdam had a one-point lead with 9:18 left in the first half when the Cardinals took the lead back. With 6:43 remaining Plattsburgh State went on a seven point run for an eight-point cushion. Freshman center Taylor Mason (Muncy, PA / Hughesville) had a jumper, Howard put in a layup and Johnson drained a three. Potsdam made a three-pointer and the Cardinals countered with a layup from Jaquish, a jumper from Middleton, a free throw form Howard and a layup from Middleton for a 12-point edge. The Bears made three free throws but Plattsburgh State ended the half with two free throws from Howard for a 38-27 advantage heading into halftime. Potsdam out-scored Plattsburgh State 49-41 in the second half. The Cardinals took their largest lead of 16-points three minutes into the second but the Bears closed in and took the lead back with 5:20 left in the game. Plattsburgh State tied the game 74-74 with a jumper from Middleton with 1:38 remaining and took a two-point cushion with two free throws from Howard. With 24 seconds left Potsdam tied the game 76-76. Plattsburgh State had the final possession of the game and waited for the last second to make their move. Patron dribbled through the Bears defense and held onto the ball until he spotted Johnson open on the far side. Johnson waited for the clock to drop further down to its final seconds before launching a three-pointer for the three-point victory. Plattsburgh State is back home Friday, Jan. 11, to host SUNYAC foe Buffalo State at 7:30 p.m.