The Morrisville State College men's basketball team survived a determined Roo squad Tuesday night, topping an aggressive and physical visiting SUNY Canton 76-70 in non-conference action in Morrisville.

The win is the sixth straight for the Mustangs, and boosts their overall record to 12-6. Canton falls to 5-13 overall in the loss.

Three tallied double digits for Morrisville State, including Jailaan Kinsey (Syracuse, NY.) who registered a team high 19 points, adding four assists and two steals to his tallies, while hitting 8-of-9 from the free throw line.

A third of the Mustangs scoring came from the bench, as Will Thomas (Morrisville, N.Y.) posted a season high 15 on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor, including draining 3-of-4 from long range. Thomas added five boards to his tallies on the night, while Sherard King (Bronx, N.Y.) added 10 points to go along with his six rebounds.

Morrisville State dominated the glass for the 14^th time this season, out rebounding the visitors 50-32, with Tom Wilk (Cortland, N.Y.) and Brandon Hanks (Syracuse, N.Y.) leading the hosts with nine each. Wilk also had a team high three blocks.

Khalil Bratton led the Roos with 24 points in the losing effort, adding 12 rebounds and five steals for the double-double performance while three additional teammates scored doubles.

Sam Annorh added 20 and had five assists for the Roos, while Romario Fletcher and Kam Peterkin rounded out the leaderboard with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Canton jumped out to an eight point lead early on before the Mustangs chipped away to stay within striking distance, eventually taking a three point lead over the visitors with 36 seconds remaining before the half. Bratton converted a lay-up for the Roos to make it a one point game with 26 ticks showing on the clock, and on the ensuing possession gathered his own rebound and put another through the hoop as time expired for a 34-33 Canton lead after one.

Maintaining a single digit lead for a majority of the second half, Morrisville State went on a 12-0 run midway through the period to build up a 13 point cushion with just over seven minutes remaining in the game and hung around the double digit lead until the 1:17 mark.

After Fletcher converted two free throws to make it a nine point game with just over one minute left, Canton took advantage of aggressive defensive play and forced a crucial Mustang turnover, converting on the offensive end and cutting the lead to seven.

Kinsey hit the back end of two free throws to regain an eight point lead for Morrisville State, but Fletcher quickly posted a layup for the Roos, bringing them back within six. After two free throw misses by the Mustangs on the ensuing possession, Bratton collected his sixth offensive rebound of the night and a put back score with eight ticks to go, but Kinsey converted both free throw attempts, and Jordan Prior (Cortland, N.Y.) two more with one second to go, securing the non-conference win for the 'Stangs.

Canton took advantage of a season high 30 turnovers for Morrisville State, scoring 27 of their points on miscues, 18 alone in the second half.

Morrisville State returns to the court Friday, hosting North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) leader Lancaster Bible in a critical conference match. Tip is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Morrisville.

Morrisville State sets the world in motion for students. Curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology. Lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs, the college was named to the 2012 President's Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll. The college was recognized, by U.S. News and World Report, in its top tier Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate. Visit www.morrisville.edu to experience, Morrisville in motion. 

#30#