FIGHTING TIGER MEN LEAVE CGCC TWINS SEEING DOUBLE IN 80-40 VICTORY

It was no surprise that the SUNY Cobleskill men’s basketball team easily defeated winless Columbia Greene Community College by an 80-40 margin in Cobleskill, NY on Thursday night. What was impressive was the efficient manor in which the Fighting Tigers dissected their Mountain Valley Conference rivals from Hudson, NY just 48 hours after Cobleskill’s hard fought victory over archrival Delhi Tech in overtime on Tuesday night. With the precision of a surgeon the Fighting Tigers bettered their overall mark to 14-2 on the season with a perfect 6-0 record in conference play. Cobleskill is currently ranked fourth in the latest NJCAA Division III National Poll and has extended their current winning streak to 13 games.

The Fighting Tigers offensive efficiency was punctuated by a 35-of-60 shooting effort from the field, 58.3%, including going 5-for-12 from three point range, 41.7%, on the night. Of the team’s 35 field goals, 30 were assisted. Defensively Cobleskill held the Twins 14-of -42, 28.6%, from the field forced 27 Columbia Greene turnovers, highlighted by 15 Fighting Tiger steals, while turning the ball over only eight times themselves.

“We did all the little things that you need to do to be successful tonight,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Kevin McCarthy. “I thought we did an excellent job moving the ball, screening, coming up with loose balls and getting out in transition. Defensively we communicated well, hedged out on screens effectively, blocked out on the boards and kept a hand up on all of their shooters. These are the things that are important if you are going to be in the hunt heading into post season play.”

Freshman center/forward Vladimir Colas, Warwick, NY, Warwick High School, continued his strong play with a 16 point, seven rebound, three assist, three steal effort in his second start of the season while freshman Stanley Francois, Valley Cottage, NY, Suffern High School, chipped in 15 points to go with four rebounds and three steals. Freshman guard Jayson Taylor, Deer Park, NY, Ossining High School, scored 12 points to go with three assists and three rebounds and freshman swingman Darryl Burns Jr., Brooklyn, NY, High School of Art & Design, added 11 points on the night.

Cobleskill also received contributions from: senior swingman Devon Moore, Brooklyn, NY, Family Academy High School, who had six points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals on the evening, freshman forward Ryan Greene, Richmondville, NY, Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, who scored seven points and passed out three assists and from freshman center Kyle Mitchell, Hadley, NY, Hadley-Luzerne High School, scored four points and grabbed three rebounds in extended minutes. Freshman point guard Harley Fuller, Gloversville, NY, Broadalbin-Perth High School, had a major impact on the contest without even taking a shot as the Fighting Tiger floor general passed out 10 assists and blocked two shots on the evening.

The Fighting Tigers return to action on Monday January 22nd when they host the Huskies of Word of Life Bible Institute beginning at 7:00 PM.