Cobleskill, N.Y.: The SUNY Cobleskill men's basketball team continued to make their drive to the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) play-offs on Wednesday evening as the Fighting Tigers claimed a hard fought victory the visiting Express of Wells College by a 56-52 margin in league play. With the win Cobleskill moves to 13-6 overall including a 7-3 record in NEAC action while The Express is now 2-17 overall with a 1-9 record in conference play.

The Fighting Tigers took a 30-23 lead into halftime on the strength of a defensive effort that saw them limit The Express to only 8-of-25 from the field (32.0%.) while forcing the visitor into 10 turnovers. However Wells opened the second half on an 18-to-4 run which gave them a 38-34 lead with 12:29 left in regulation and the lead continuously down the stretch.

Trailing 50-47 with 1:29 left to play Cobleskill senior swingman Antwan Claxton, Bronx, N.Y., Taft High School, attacked the rim off the dribble, scored and was fouled on the play. Claxton then made the ensuing free throw to tie the game at 50-50.

After a time-out The Express could not convert on a set play as Fighting Tiger sophomore forward Alpha Camara, Queens, N.Y., John Bowne High School/Genesee Community College, made a critical block at the rim and grabbed the rebound to give Cobleskill the possession which the home team took advantage of as junior forward James Conteh, Queens, N.Y., The Patrick School/SUNY Sullivan, hit a 15 foot jumper to give the Orange & Black the lead at 52-50 with 55 seconds left in the game.

The Fighting Tiger defense then took over once again with senior guard Daniel Owens, Albany, N.Y., Christian Brothers Academy/Herkimer Community College, stripping the Wells point guard and triggering a fast break lay-up courtesy of James Conteh to make it 54-50 with only 23 seconds remaining.

The team's traded points down the final stretch allowing the Fighting Tigers to claim the hard fought 56-52 decision.

James Conteh led the team in scoring with 16 points to go with four rebounds and two blocked shots while Antwan Claxton had 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots in the win. Sophomore guard Lorenzo Bicknese, Somers, N.Y., Somers High School, continued his strong play since insertion into the starting line-up with 12 points and four rebounds.

Cobleskill will next be in action on Saturday February 8^th when they travel to Marcy, N.Y. for a NEAC meeting with the Wildcats of SUNY Polytechnic Institute beginning at 1:00 p.m.