Boxscore and Play-by-Play

CANTON, N.Y.--Chris Ruiz scored 16 points, Carl Munnerlyn had 14 and Steve Thomas, 11, as the visiting Plattsburgh State men's basketball team hung on for a 62-58 non-conference victory Tuesday over Saint Lawrence in a battle of North Country teams. The Cardinals improve to 4-1 on the season while the Saints dip to 1-3.

SLU's Ralph Temgoua led all scorers with 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the floor to go along with nine rebounds. Garrett Sharlow was the only other Saint in double figures with 12 points.

The teams traded baskets in the first half as SLU managed to build a six-point lead in the opening minutes. Thomas made a 3-pointer as time expired--his only field goal in the first 20 minutes--to give Plattsburgh a 33-30 lead at the intermission. Then he began the second half with another trey and the Cardinals never trailed for the rest of the game.

A Nick Meunier lay-up at the 8:28 mark did pull SLU even at 45-45, but the Cardinals responded with a 10-0 run over the next 3 minutes. They would need that spurt because SLU made a comeback bid that came within two points, 60-58. Ruiz made a pair of free throws with 21 seconds left to ice the victory. 

Ketema Brooks contributed seven assists for Plattsburgh.