CANTON, N.Y. – Led by the duo of Reem Welch (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Thomas Jefferson) and Khalil Screen (Providence, R.I. / Classical), the Plattsburgh State men's basketball team remained undefeated in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play with a 76-63 win over Canton. Welch was the leading scorer with a game-high 25 points to go with nine rebounds and four assists in an all-around showing. Screen followed up with 19 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and blocked a shot to help secure the win.

The duo got support from senior forward Irwayne Connell Jr. (Monroe CC / Saint Thomas Aquinas), who finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high four blocks to anchor the Cardinal defense. Elijah Morris (Mount Vernon, N.Y. / Mount Vernon) led all players in assists with eight to go with seven points, while Mari Johnson (Binghamton, N.Y. / Johnson City) led all players in rebounds with a career-high 11 to pair with four points.

For the Kangaroos, Jahdeuir Reese led the way with 14 points, six rebounds, and a game-high five steals. Lateef Johnson Jr. chipped in 15 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals, and Malaki Smith finished with 11 points and four steals.

Overall, for the game, Plattsburgh State shot a strong 42.9% from the floor but not as well from behind the arc, shooting 13.3%. Canton shot a solid 33.3% from the field and only 16.0% from the three-point line. Plattsburgh dominated the boards (55-40), but it was Canton who owned an 18-12 advantage in second-chance points. The points off turnovers battle was close, as well, as Canton finished with 24 and the Cardinals had 20.

Welch opened the scoring with a layup as the Cardinals jumped out to a 7-6 lead after a Connell Jr. layup at the 14:28 mark. After both teams went scoreless for a few minutes, Canton ended the drought and then took a 10-9 lead before scoring four quick points to take a 14-11 lead with 8:44 remaining in the opening half. A Connell Jr. layup sparked a 6-0 burst as Plattsburgh regained a 21-18 lead with 6:14 to go before the break. Another Plattsburgh run pushed the Cardinal lead to 29-20, but Canton ended the half on a 5-0 run and made the score 34-30 Cardinals going into the break.

After Canton cut the Cardinals' lead to two, Plattsburgh went on a 10-0 tear led by Morris with four points and stretched its lead to 44-32 with 15:09 left to play in the second half. The Kangaroos clawed back into the game using a 10-0 run of their own to cut the deficit to 46-45 midway through the second half. Despite the fight from Canton, Plattsburgh wasn't fazed as a Gladney layup sparked a 7-0 surge and cushioned the Cardinals' lead to 53-45 at the 8:06 mark. The Cardinals led the rest of the way, but Canton cut the deficit to four with 1:15 to go before late free throws put the game out of reach, giving Plattsburgh the 76-63 win.  

With the win, Plattsburgh State extends its winning streak to four and rises to 6-3 (3-0 SUNYAC) and next travels to Oswego State tomorrow, Jan. 10, for a 4 p.m. tip-off.