SARANAC LAKE — The North Country Community College men's basketball team had a big second half to surge past Fulton-Montgomery Community College 77-67 Wednesday.

Going into the second half, North Country was down 29-25, but then the Saints started clicking with defense and ball movement. Brian Donaire had a game-high 22 points for the Saints, who scored 52 points in the second half.

"In the second half, we defended much better," North Country coach Chad LaDue said. "We were able to share the basketball by moving the ball on offense with multiple passes, instead of passing once and then taking a shot."

LaDue said Tyquan Pointer was instrumental off the bench as he dropped 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Pointer came in the game after an injury to the Saints' starting guard Frane Larose.

North Country tallied 30 assists on 35 field goals. Fulton-Montgomery was led by Tremaine Elder with 22 points. LaDue said when the Saints move the ball, everything else falls into place.

"No one likes to play defense," LaDue said. "If you make them play defense longer than 10 seconds, you increase your opportunity for a better look. For us, we play defense when everyone gets to touch it."