(Potsdam, N.Y.)- The SUNY Canton men's basketball team wrapped up their season on Sunday losing to the University of Maine at Machias 87-78. The Roos end the year at 4-10 in the Sunrise Conference and 6-18 overall. Machias improved to 10-14 and 15-13.
Prior to the game senior Tony Parker (Sodus, N.Y.), senior Jamelle Smith (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and junior Josh Wilson (Chaumont, N.Y.) were honored. All three were playing their final home game at SUNY Canton.
The Roos trailed 40-32 at halftime and had to play catch up for most of the second half. They finally took the lead, their last of the game, following an Eddie Mitchell (Syracuse, N.Y.) free throw with 11:05 left.
SUNY Canton did pull within two points on several different occassions late in the game, the last coming with 5:54 on the clock after a Deric Alston (Jacksonville, N.C.) layup.
But the Clippers were able to work their way inside for several uncontested shots down the stretch and they converted nine free throws in the final seven minutes to clinch the win. For the game Machais shot 27-for-34 from the stripe.
Alson finished with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Tony Valentin (Perth Amboy, N.J.) added a team-high 24 points and five rebounds and Kerlin Fermin (New York, N.Y.) chipped in with seven points.
Jeremy Tolbert shot 10-for-11 from the free throw line for 28 points to lead the Clippers. Nate Case added 17 points and three steals.