BROOKLYN -- Three Bubby Vernon three-pointers capped a 19-0 run that fueled the Cannoneers 68-63 win in Pratt's first-ever meeting with visiting Paul Smith's College Thursday night at the ARC.
Senior Ari Grant tied for game-high honors with 20 points, 15 after halftime, and completed his sixth double-double in six games with 13 rebounds. Junior Andrew Yaglenski added 20 points, and Vernon knocked down four crucial free throws in the final minute, finishing with 15 points.
After Grant and Yaglenski scored the first four points of the contest, the Bobcats answered with nine straight and led the remainder of the half. Max Perguero's free throw at the 9:00 mark put Paul Smith's on top 13-7, one of a half-dozen six-point leads the visitors mounted throughout the frame.
A Yaglenski layup with 14 seconds left in the first trimmed the lead to 28-24. Five seconds later, an Adam Seguin free throw sent the Bobcats into halftime with a 29-24 lead after outscoring Pratt 10-2 on fast break points for the period.
Jovan Hammond's bucket at the 15:33 mark of the second half rebuilt Paul Smith's largest lead, at 39-30. Vernon's fast break lay-in with 12:06 to play trimmed the lead to 43-39 and ignited a run that ultimately distanced the Cannoneers for good.
Grant followed with six straight points before Vernon connected on three treys, with the duo pairing for 17 points in a 19-0 run spanning 5:58. With Grant sidelined after picking up his fourth foul, Seguin was free inside for two tip-ins, the second of which capped an 11-1 run and found Pratt clinging to a 62-59 lead with 1:36 left.
As the shot clock dwindled on the ensuing possession, freshman guard Vishal Vanka drove the lane for a layup high off the glass, and Vernon then converted on four straight free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the win.
All 15 of the sophomore's points came after halftime, during which time the Cannoneers controlled the glass 25-19 and outscored the Bobcats 44-34.
For Paul Smith's (3-10), Seguin led all players with 17 rebounds, while Hammond and Rich Duvier tallied 15 points each.
At 4-2, Pratt returns to play Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the College of St. Elizabeth.
