Cobleskill, N.Y.:  Freshman Shelvon Grant, Brooklyn, N.Y., Poughkeepsie High School, converted a lay-up at the buzz in overtime to give the SUNY Cobleskill men's basketball team an 80-79 victory over the visiting Spartans of Castleton University to open their 2022-23 season on Tuesday evening at the Iorio Gymnasium. With the victory the Fighting Tigers open the year at 1-0 overall while the Spartans open the campaign at 0-1.

In a game of runs that featured 11 ties and 17 lead changes, the home team forced overtime when senior forward Justin Feldman, Chester, N.Y., Chester High School/Orange Community College, nailed a three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining in regulation to knot the score at 68-68.

The key to victory for the Fighting Tigers was their depth as Cobleskill posted a 28-11 advantage in bench points on the evening.

Junior guard Iziah Pigott, Brooklyn, N.Y., Urban Assembly High School/Dutchess Community College, led Cobleskill in scoring with 16 points to go with three assists while Justin Feldman chipped in 12 points while passing out eight assists.

The Orange & Black also received strong opening night efforts from junior center Markel Jenkins, Elmira, N.Y., Elmira High School/Corning Community College, with nine points, a game high 16 rebounds and four assists, Shelvon Grant with 10 points and two rebounds and from first-year swingman Jeremy Rosario, Colonie, N.Y., Colonie High School, with 10 points, three steals and a pair of assists.  

Cobleskill will next be in action over the weekend when they travel to Oneonta, N.Y. for the 2022 Michael A. Freilich Tournament hosted by SUNY Oneonta. The Fighting Tigers will open the event on Friday November 11 when they meet the Rangers of Drew University at 5:00 p.m. then depending on the outcomes of Friday night's games will play on Saturday November 12 at either 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. versus either the Cannoneers of the Pratt Institute or the host Red Dragons of SUNY Oneonta.