Chad Biersbach (center, photo by Ron Szot).
The Fredonia State men's basketball team downed Plattsburgh, 77-63, in Dods Hall on Saturday, ending a nine-game losing streak to the Cardinals. After a close first half, Fredonia State took over in the second half and cruised to the victory. De'Quan Smith had 20 points, Tyler Roberts and Dydy Bryan had 12 apiece, and Chad Biersbach added 11 points. Biersbach was five-of-five from the field, and Bryan controlled the offense to the tune of a career-high 12 assists.
Adam Braniecki tacked on 11 rebounds, five blocked shots, and had six points for the victors.
The Devils offense was powered by 54 percent shooting from the floor and won the rebounding battle, 38-30.
The game opened in impressive fashion for the Devils, as Moussa Samassa hammered home a pair of dunks on the Devils' first-two possessions. A layup from Smith put the Devils up 6-0.
Fredonia stretched the lead to 11-4 after a free throw by Samassa. Following a timeout by Plattsburgh, the Cardinals used a short jumper and a pair of threes to take their first lead of the contest.
The game would see seven more lead changes before the Devils led 38-32 at the half.
The second half was all Fredonia State. The Cardinals pulled within two points at the 15:07 mark cut the lead to 47-45.
Smith then scored the game's next six points to pad the lead. Fredonia State's biggest lead of the game would come with four-and-a-half minutes left to play. Roberts nailed a three, then Bryan would hit on a mid-range jumper, then a three pointer. The eight-straight points saw the Devils up the lead to 73-57.
Fredonia State improved to 5-7 and 2-4 in the SUNYAC.
Axel Rodriguez led Plattsburgh (5-9 / 2-5) with 14 points.
The men return home Tuesday for a non-conference game vs. Penn State Shenango. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m.
