DOMINATING SECOND HALF LEADS EXPRESS PAST SUNY IT

UTICA, N.Y. – Senior Andre Sawyers (Bronx, N.Y.) scored a team high 24 points and the Wells College Express outscored the SUNY IT Wildcats 46-34 in the second half en route to an 81-68 victory in North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) men's basketball action Sunday afternoon in Utica, N.Y. With the victory the Express have now won five of their last six games and improve to 9-11 overall and 6-4 in the NEAC.

For the second straight day Dave Foltz (Auburn, N.Y.) finished with 23 points for the Express, who defeated Cobleskill yesterday afternoon 56-53. Terry Harrison (Brooklyn, N.Y.) also chipped in with a double-double finishing with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The Express entered the second half with a slim 35-34 lead after a first half in which both teams traded shots and leads.

The Wildcats took an early second half lead (38-37) on a jumper by T'Andre Richardson but it would also be their last lead of the day.

Two straight lay-ups by Sawyers and a 3-pointer from Foltz started a 9-2 run for the Express. Wells continued with the hot hand, two more treys from Foltz, with a Harrison lay-up sandwiched in between, extended their lead to ten (59-49), however the Express were not finished, rallying for a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to take a commanding 22 point lead with 7:40 to play.

The Express were impressive in the second half, finishing 57.7 percent from the field, led by Foltz who finished perfect from the floor with 16 points (6-6) including 4-4 from behind the arc. Overall, the Express had one of their best shooting days to date finishing 29-53 from the field, including 7-18 from behind the arc, and 16-21 from the charity stripe.

Ryan James led the Wildcats with a game high 25 points, Sejad Gromlic added 24 points, and Richardson chipped in with 11 points to round out the highlights for SUNY IT.

The Express return to action on Wednesday when they take on NEAC opponent Cazenovia College at 5 p.m. in Aurora. The Express defeated Cazenovia by a final of 77-71 back on Dec. 7.