Trailing at the half for the first time this year, the Panthers men's basketball team rallied back in the second half to take a 74-69 win over North Country Community College. The Panthers have now won four straight to improve to 7-1. North Country stands at 6-6.

The visiting Saints jumped out early, taking a 13-3 lead in the opening minutes. The Panthers clawed back with a 10-0 run, but North Country reestablished control, stretching the lead back to double figures and peaking at 13 points before a  push by the Panthers to close out the half brought the score to 40-35 at the break.  

After the second opened with teams trading baskets, the Panthers went on an 11-0, taking the lead for the first time after a steal by Marqiis Samuels (Long Island/The Patrick School) led to a layup by Damari Johnson (Binghamton/Johnson City H.S.). The run ended with Panthers ahead 51-44, but the Saints responded to reclaim the lead at 58-56 with 11:03 left in the game. The Panthers again responded, using an 8-0 run to move back in front at 64-60 with 6:30 remaining. North Country again came back, tying the score at 64-64, but a jumper by Khai Pugh (Syracuse/Nottingham H.S.) kick-started six straight points to make it 70-64 as the clock ran under four minutes. The game tightened over the next three minutes, and it was a two-point game at 71-69 with 52 seconds left. Neither team could capitalize on free throw chances over the next 30 seconds, but Pugh finally sealed the win by going 3-for-4 from the free throw line over the last 12 seconds.

Pugh continued his streak of double-doubles in each game, finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Johnson led all scorers with 25 points while also grabbing 8 rebounds. Samuels posted 15 points, and Javonte Long (Harlem/Clayton H.S.) had 11 points and 5 assists.

Looking ahead

The Panthers close out the fall semester Sunday by hosting Clinton Community College at noon.