JOHNSON, Vt. (February 17, 2011) -  Johnson State College picked a 78-70 non-conference win on Tuesday night over visiting Paul Smith's College.  The Badgers shot 55% from the field and collected 13 steals to spur the victory.  Johnson improves to 7-17 overall, 3-10 NAC while the Bobcats fall to 5-17 overall.

Johnson raced out to an 20-5 lead following a lay-up by sophomore Cody Camisa (Colchester, Vt./Colchester) and would get the lead to as much as 16 during the first half.  But the Bobcats would close the first half on a 10-3 spurt to cut the lead to 36-27 headed into halftime.

Paul Smith's would hang around throughout the second-half and cut the JSC lead to three on four different occasions but Johnson short jumpers by senior Rob Key (New Britain, Conn./New Britain) bookended around a Scott Moran (Orange, Conn./Amity) jumper pushed the margin back out to 10 with 1:04 to play and JSC would hold on.

Johnson was led by senior Ian Passino (Peru, N.Y./Peru) and his 17 points while junior Alen Turan (Essex, Vt./Essex) scored 14.  Key finished the game with 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds and Moran was a perfect 5-5 from the field en route to 12 points.

PSC saw sophomore Chibunna Belonwu (Randolph, Mass.) record game-high's of 21 points and 10 rebounds while classmate Kashean Alston (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added 18 points and seven rebounds.  Kris Klinkbeil (Greece, N.Y.) was the final Bobcat in double-figures with 14 points.

Johnson will wrap up their regular-season on Saturday when they host Green Mountain College at 2:00 pm.  JSC still has a scenario to qualify for the NAC playoffs with a win.  Prior to the contest JSC will recognize their three senior student-athletes in Victor Abass (Sudan/Cedar Park Christian), Rob Key, and Ian Passino.  Paul Smith's will host Word of Life Bible Institute in their final game of the season on Monday.