FIGHTING TIGER MEN FALL TO JOLIET JC 75-55 IN NJCAA SEMIFINALS

The month of March just got a little saner for SUNY Cobleskill basketball fans as the Fighting Tiger men’s team fell to nationally number eight ranked Joliet Junior College by a 75-55 margin in the semifinals of the 2008 NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament hosted by SUNY Delhi in Delhi, NY last night. The loss breaks a five-game Fighting Tiger winning streak and gives the Orange & Black a 26-7 overall record going into tonight’s consolation game versus Hostos Community College from the Bronx, NY tonight at 6:00 PM in Delhi, NY.

“They started very physically against us tonight and we did not respond well. They hit jumpers, they took the ball to the tin and to be honest with you, they schooled us tonight,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Kevin McCarthy. “I’m very proud of what our team accomplished this season. While this may not have been the most gifted or athletic team that we’ve had during my time here; they certainly represented themselves and the college, extremely well. To make it to the “Final Four” and win 26 games, so far, is quite an accomplishment and something that everyone associated with our program can be proud of.”

Freshman guard Nyquan Bellamy, Poughkeepsie, NY, Poughkeepsie High School, led the Fighting Tigers in scoring posting 13 points to go with four rebounds in the contest while senior point guard Harley Fuller, Gloversville, NY, Gloversville High School, chipped in 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds and passed out four assists. Senior power forward Anthony Armstrong, Schenectady, NY, Schenectady High School, also reached double figures in scoring for Cobleskill with 10 points in the contest.