COBLESKILL MEN UPSET #4 RANKED FMCC 77-71 IN MOUNTAIN VALLEY PLAY

With three team’s ranked in the “Top 10” of the NJCAA Division III National Poll the Mountain Valley Conference is once again one of the top conferences in the country. In the rugged world of the MVC signature wins and statement games happen when the league’s elite teams battle. On Thursday night the eighth ranked SUNY Cobleskill men’s basketball team posted a win in just such a game upsetting number four ranked Fulton-Montgomery Community College on the Raiders home court in Johnstown, NY by a 77-71 score. The victory moves the Fighting Tiger overall record to 19-4 on the year with a 10-2 mark in league play.

“Fulton-Montgomery has been extremely successful this season by using their full-court pressure to force turnovers which they’ve used to create easy transitional baskets. They’re also one of the most aggressive offensive rebounding teams in the nation,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Kevin McCarthy. “We felt that it was vital for us, playing in their building, to minimize our turnovers and to protect our defense board. Our ability to accomplish these objectives proved to be the main factors in winning here tonight. Winning on the road against a ranked opponent is something that should catch the selection committee’s attention and puts us in good position heading into the post season.”

Freshman guard Jayson Taylor, Deer Park, NY, Ossining High School, exploded for a career high 25 points including a decisive three-point field goal that game the Fighting Tigers a 73-68 lead with 1:19 remaining to play in regulation that effectively sealed the victory for the Orange & Black. Senior swingman Devon Moore, Brooklyn, NY, Family Academy High School, also scored a career high of 23 points to go with five rebounds, four assists and five seals on the evening.

The Fighting Tigers received important contributions from freshman point guard Harley Fuller, Gloversville, NY, Gloversville High School, who returned to his home area to score nine points, pass out 10 assists and make five steals and from freshman forward Stanley Francois, Valley Cottage, NY, Suffern High School, who scored nine points to go with 10 rebounds on the evening. Freshman center Jude Franck, Spring Valley, NY, Ramapo High School, added six points, five rebounds and five blocked shots while freshman center/forward Vladimir Colas, Warwick, NY, Warwick High School, accounted for four points and six rebounds on the night.

Cobleskill returns to action on Saturday February 10th when they host the Timberwolves of Adirondack Community College for a Mountain Valley Conference game scheduled for 1:00 PM.