FIGHTING TIGER MEN REPEL VISITING HVCC VIKINGS 78-75 IN MVC PLAY

With the December weather turning things in upstate New York cold, the SUNY Cobleskill and Hudson Valley Community College men’s basketball programs provided ample heat to an Iorio Gymnasium crowd of over 800 in Cobleskill, NY Friday night. The Fighting Tiger fateful saw the home team stop the visiting Vikings taking a 78-75 decision in classic fashion. The victory improves the Fighting Tigers’ overall record to 7-2 on the season with a 3-0 mark in Mountain Valley Conference play while Hudson Valley falls to 7-3 overall with a 2-2 record in league play.

After a rollercoaster evening which saw numerous lead changes, with each team surrendering double digit leads, Fighting Tiger freshman guard Jayson Taylor, Deer Park, NY, Ossining High School, nailed a three-point field goal to put Cobleskill ahead for good at 76-73 with 50.9 seconds remaining. The talented rookie then converted on two free throw attempts with 6.4 left in regulation to expand the lead to 78-75 which held up after a Viking last second three-point attempt fell short at the buzzer.

“This was an important victory for our young players to get under their belts because in our conference and looking ahead to potentially the post season, you have to demonstrate the ability to win close ballgames,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Kevin McCarthy. “Hudson Valley creates problems for teams because they shoot and pass the ball exceptionally well. I thought once again we did a good job down the stretch of getting into their shooters and controlling the boards. This truly was an excellent college basketball game to be a part of and I think our fans created an outstanding atmosphere to play in for everyone involved tonight.”

Freshman forward Stanley Francois, Valley Cottage, NY, Suffern High School, pounded the Vikings in the paint and on the glass scoring 26 points and grabbing 20 rebounds in the contest while freshman power forward Anthony Armstead, Schenectady, NY, Schenectady High School, added 11 points, three rebounds and two blocked shots to the Cobleskill victory totals.

Cobleskill also received strong perimeter play as the aforementioned Taylor scored 15 points and took down three rebounds on the night and freshman swingman Darryl Burns Jr., Brooklyn, NY, High School of Art & Design, scored 10 points to go with three rebounds. Freshman point guard Harley Fuller, Gloversville, NY, Broadalbin-Perth High School, continued his strong play for the orange and black with seven points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals while senior swingman Devon Moore, Brooklyn, NY, Family Academy High School, did all the dirty work with two points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals on the night.

The Fighting Tigers will return to action on Monday December 4th when they host the Ithaca College Junior Varsity with tip-off set for 7:00 PM. The game against the Bombers will be Cobleskill’s final scheduled home appearance of the first semester.

TIGER NOTES: Head Coach Kevin McCarthy has currently amassed 299 wins in his tenure with the Fighting Tigers and on Monday evening versus the Ithaca College Junior Varsity will attempt to notch his 300th win at SUNY Cobleskill. Versus Hudson Valley the Fighting Tigers connected on 30 of 59 shots from the field for a 50.8% mark.