POTSDAM, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State men's basketball team took on red-hot Potsdam on Saturday and gave the Bears a run for their money, but came out on the short end of a 76-71 game. Moussa Samassa had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Dydy Bryan had 16 points and four assists. 

Potsdam opened the game on a 7-0 run.

A three-pointer by the Devils' Colden George made it a one-point game, 21-20, with 6:42 left in the first half. George finished with nine points.

Potsdam, winners of 11 of its last 12 games, answered with a 14-4 run, before ending the half up nine, 37-28.

The Devils chipped away in the second half. A layup by Bryan gave Fredonia State its first lead of the game, 54-53, at the 6:45 mark. 

Leading by two, 58-56, with 5:45 left to play, Potsdam went on a 9-1 run to go up 67-57. 

The Devils kept themselves in the game and twice cut the lead to four points. Then, with 15 seconds left, De'Quan Smith nailed a three to make it a one-possession game, 74-71.

Potsdam made both free-throw attempts in the closing seconds as the Bears preserved the win. 

The Bears held on to second place in the SUNYAC, improving to 12-2 in the conference and 16-4 overall.

The Devils fall to 3-11 and 7-14 overall. They head to Brockport on Tuesday.