SARANAC LAKE — Second-half turnovers eroded a 12-point lead for the Saints as they dropped a four-point decision to the Vikings.

North Country (7-6) took a 32-26 lead at the half and pushed that lead to 12 points early in the second half.

"It was a back-and-forth game pretty much from start to finish," Saints coach Chad LaDue said. "We had a 12-point lead early in the second half, but they fought back and took the lead with about six to go.

"At the three minute mark we took the lead back, but right around 2:30 (Devonte) Gleason grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back for an and one. They went up four and gave them a little bit of separation."

With 19 seconds to go Hudson Valley held a 73-71 lead and pushed the lead to four on Haseeb Kaurejo's free throws. The Saints had a couple of chances from 3-point land in the final 17 seconds, but couldn't get any to fall.

David Suski led the Vikings with 17 points, while Gleason added 15 and Elijah Newsome, 13. Kaurejo and Simon Ohanian each finished with nine points.

Ege Cinel paced North Country with 16 points. Thomas Barnes added 12 points, Nikola Cvetanovic chipped in with 11 points, and Ivan Grcic tallied 10 points and four assists.

Michael Boyea dished out five assists for the Saints, while Matthew Gullotta pulled down 12 rebounds.

"Early in the second half we uncharacteristically turned the ball over, which gave away our 12-point lead and added to theirs. We had 18 turnovers — 14 in the second half. We're usually between 10-12 in a game, but 14 in the second half is a little high for us, especially with the guards we have.

"It was a very good game. They made the plays down the stretch when we got it within two. I am disappointed with the outcome, but definitely not with the effort the guys put forth."

North Country travels to Fulton-Montgomery for a 7 p.m. game on Tuesday.