COBLESKILL MEN USE BIG SECOND HALF TO TOP CGCC 77-41

With his team holding a 33-31 halftime advantage over host Columbia-Greene Community College last night in Hudson, NY in their last contest before the Thanksgiving break an extremely red faced SUNY Cobleskill Men’s Head Basketball Coach Kevin McCarthy entered his silent locker room to discuss the first half of play. When a reenergized Fighting Tiger squad took the court for the second half the issue was never in doubt as Cobleskill outscored their Mountain Valley Conference rival hosts by a 44-10 margin to claim the victory. Cobleskill improves its season record to 7-0 on the year with a perfect 2-0 mark versus league competition. The Fighting Tigers are currently ranked fourth in the latest NJCAA Division III National Poll.

“I merely pointed out that our defensive intensity level was not where it needed to be and that we had started the holiday break a few hours early,” said a smiling Fighting Tiger mentor with his after the contest. “In the second half we established ourselves using our defense and our depth to make them uncomfortable which in turn led to easy opportunities on the offensive end of the floor. I believe that the second half was more indicative of how we are capable of playing and now we will enjoy the break and then get ready for next week.”

Senior forward Stanley Francois, Suffern, NY, Suffern High School, paced the Cobleskill attack with 14 points and four rebounds on the evening while freshman swingman Zaire Thomas, Ossining, NY, Ossining High School, tallied a career high of 14 points to go with three rebounds. Freshman guard Nyquan Bellamy, Poughkeepsie, NY, Poughkeepsie High School, also reached double figures in scoring on the evening with 11 points and a pair of assists.

Cobleskill continued to receive strong play at the point guard spot where senior Harley Fuller, Gloversville, NY, Broadalbin-Perth High School, continued to shine with three points, 10 assists and six steals on the evening as well as a fine all-around effort from senior power forward Anthony Armstead, Schenectady, NY, Schenectady High School, who scored six points, grabbed four rebounds, passed out four assists and blocked two shots on the night. Senior guard Darryl Burns Jr., Brooklyn, NY, Art & Design High School, added nine points for the Orange & Black while freshman center Victor Ljuljojuraj, Yorktown Heights, NY, Lakeland High School, chipped in four points and five assists.

The Fighting Tigers will next be in action on Tuesday November 27th when they travel to Binghamton, NY, to meet the Hornets of Broome Community College as part of a basketball doubleheader with the Cobleskill and Hornet women taking the court at 6:00 PM followed by the college’s men’s teams tipping off at 8:00 PM.