FIGHTING TIGER MEN’S ROUNDBALLERS STEAL 84-76 OT WIN FROM DELHI

The SUNY Cobleskill men’s basketball team turned six overtime steals into 16 points to secure an 84-76 overtime win over visiting Mountain Valley Conference rival Delhi Tech in upstate junior college basketball’s version of the “Backyard Brawl” tipping-off the second semester for both programs last night in Cobleskill, NY. The two teams had entered the overtime session tied at 68-68 after regulation. With the victory the Fighting Tiger overall record improves to 13-2 including a 5-0 record in league play. Cobleskill entered the game ranked ninth in the NJCAA Division III National Poll.  

“Being that this was our first game after an extended winter break; against arguably our biggest rival’ I am extremely pleased with the outcome,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Kevin McCarthy. “We came back from seven point deficits several times tonight by keeping our composure and battling. This was an important win for us and it gets the second semester off on positive note which is extremely important given the competitiveness of the region this year.”
 
Freshman sharpshooter Jayson Taylor, Deer Park, NY, Ossining High School, lead the Cobleskill offense with a career high of 23 points on the evening while senior swingman Devon Moore, Brooklyn, NY, Family Academy High School, also equaled his career high with 19 points to go with 10 rebounds. Freshman point guard Harley Fuller, Gloversville, NY, Broadalbin-Perth High School, joined his fellow perimeter players in frustrating the opposition with a well-rounded 10 point, seven assist and five rebound effort.

The Cobleskill inside attack made a powerful statement in the contest as freshman center/forward Vladimir Colas, Warwick, NY, Warwick High School, posted his first career double with a career best 13 point/16 rebound effort. Freshman forward Stanley Francois, Valley Cottage, NY, Suffern High School, continued his strong play with an eight point, 22 rebound, three blocked shot outing and freshman center/forward Jude Franck, Spring Valley, NY, Ramapo High School, asserted himself with a nine point, nine rebound, two block, four steal performance.

The Fighting Tigers return to action on Thursday January 18th when they host the Twins of Columbia-Greene Community College for a Mountain Valley Conference contest with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM.

TIGER NOTES: The Fighting Tigers posted a season best 74 rebounds on the night including 40 on the offensive glass. The Cobleskill defense also frustrated the Broncos throughout the contest on the strength of nine steals and seven blocked shots. On a recent recruiting swing the Cobleskill coaching staff had the opportunity to visit with some former players now in the high coaching ranks. Former players Brad Zeh, Oneonta, NY, and Matt Miller, Oneonta, NY, are now coaching at their alma mater Oneonta High School, Eben Bullock, Jasper, NY, is now the assistant coach at Binghamton High School, and Chris Lucia, Cornwall, NY, is an assistant coach at Arlington High School.