Pittsford, NY – The SUNY Canton men's basketball team played a solid first half, but a 14 point run to start the second half by RPI was too much to overcome and the Roos dropped a 62-48 decision.  Senior Kevin Goode Jr. and sophomore Malaki Smith led the team, scoring 11 points each.  The Engineers are receiving votes in the D3Hoops Top 25 Poll.
 
THE BASICS

• Result: RPI 62, SUNY Canton 48
• Location: Manning and Napier Varsity Gymnasium – Pittsford, NY 
• Records: RPI (9-0) | SUNY Canton (0-6)

HOW IT HAPPENED
 

• After the Engineers took an early lead, a layup by sophomore Bryon Streb cut the lead to 5-4.  Tanner Sullivan kept the Roos within striking distance, hitting a three-pointer midway through the first half to make the score 11-9.
• RPI led by as many as nine before a Canton run cut the score to 20-18, capped by a Smith three.  The Roos took their first lead of the evening, 23-22 on a layup by senior Eli Larson.  An Engineer layup and free throw put them up by two but a layup by freshman Edram Gbekou tied the game at 25-25 at the half.
• RPI scored 14 straight points to take a 39-25 lead early in the second half.  The Roos battled back, scoring nine straight, including a Goode Jr. layup and capped by a pair of free throws by Streb.  The teams would trade points throughout the second half before the Engineers went on a nine point run to lead 62-46.  A Smith layup with less than a minute remaining made the final score 62-48.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Smith and Goode Jr. combined for 22 points, Streb and freshman Nate Cohen finished with eight each.
• Goode Jr. secured a team-high six rebounds, with Streb and Cohen grabbing five each.
• Goode Jr. led the team with three steals and was a perfect 5/5 at the line.
• Andrew Deppe led RPI with 14 points and Chuck Clemmons had a game-high 10 rebounds.
• RPI had an edge in points off turnovers (16-11), fast break points (7-6) and points in the paint (26-16).  Canton led in second-chance points (6-2) and bench points (24-17).

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Roos play Penn State Behrend on the second day of the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa Tournament, tomorrow December 30^th at 1:00 p.m.
   
Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college's career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 23 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.