FIGHTING TIGER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TURNS BACK HERKIMER CC 74-59

The SUNY Cobleskill women’s basketball team continued their winning ways last night in Cobleskill, NY turning back a determined visiting squad from Herkimer Community College in Mountain Valley Conference play by 74-59 margin. The victory gives the Fighting Tigers a 16-2 overall mark including a 7-1 record in league play. Cobleskill is currently ranked ninth in the latest NJCAA Division III National Poll.

“For some reason we just didn’t have it on the defensive end of the floor tonight so it was our offense that carried us. While it was important to show that we can win on nights when we’re struggling defensively it’s just not a very good thing for the long haul,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Josh Suttles. “We preach defense all the time so we’re going to go back into practice and work on some things we need to improve on. Offensively we spread things around with five players in double figures and 74 points is a pretty good night for us. This was clearly a different type of game for us and I think we found out a few things about ourselves.”

The upperclassmen led a balanced Fighting Tiger attack as senior NJCAA All-American forward Dee Dee Smith, Monticello, NY, Redemption Christian Academy, led the charge with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, six steals and two blocked shots and senior center Crystal Ferrer, Bronx, NY, Redemption Christian Academy, with 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Senior forward Tahara Pleasure, Albany, NY, Albany High School, continued her strong play since entering the starting line-up with 10 points, three assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Cobleskill’s freshman class also played a major role in the victory as freshman point guard Erinn O’Rourke, South Glens Falls, NY, South Glens Falls High School, and freshman guard/forward Kim Stahl, Scotia, NY, Scotia-Glenville High School, each tallied 11 points on the evening. Freshman forward Kim McMillen, Greenville, NY, Greenville High School, also continued her hard nosed play on the inside with seven points, nine rebounds and four steals in the victory.

The Fighting Tigers next travel to Morrisville, NY, on Saturday January 28th to meet the Mustangs of Morrisville State College in a Mountain Valley Conference game scheduled for 3:00 PM.

TIGER NOTES: Cobleskill’s 16-2 record is the best won/loss record at the 18 game mark of a season in program history. The Fighting Tiger’s win on Tuesday night over Hudson Valley was coach Josh Suttles 50th career victory. Suttles has reached the 50 win plateau faster than any head coach in program history and currently boasts a 51-21 overall record at the college. Saturday’s meeting between the Fighting Tigers and Morrisville State will be the last as junior colleges between the two programs. Morrisville will join the NCAA as a Division III program beginning next September.