Cobleskill, N.Y.: The SUNY Cobleskill men's basketball team opened their 2023-24 campaign on Wednesday evening by downing the visiting Blazers of Elms College by an 84-71 margin at the Iorio Gymnasium in non-league action. With the victory the Fighting Tigers open the season at 1-0 while the Blazers start off at 0-1 overall on the year.
 
The Fighting Tigers came out aggressive defensively forcing three quick turnovers to take an early 10-2 advantage from which they never looked back forcing 11 first half turnovers which they turned into 13 points on their way to a 43-32 half time advantage.
 
Sophomore guard Robert Long, Rochester, N.Y., McQuade Jesuit High School, led the Cobleskill attack in his Fighting Tiger debut pouring in 20 points to go with three steals and two assists while senior guard Keaton Goldsby, Inwood, N.Y., Lawrence High School/Mohawk Valley Community College, came off the bench to scored 15 points and pass out three assists.
 
Cobleskill also received 13 points and seven rebounds from sophomore swingman Jeremy Rosario, Colonie, N.Y., Colonie High School, while senior guard Andre Starks, Rochester, N.Y., Fairport High School/Corning Community College, had 11 points, three assists and three rebounds on the night.
 
The Orange & Black also received strong all-around efforts from senior guard Iziah Pigott, Brooklyn, N.Y., Adams Street Academy/Mohawk Valley Community College, with six points, nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals, junior forward Chalik Oxley, Manhattan, N.Y., Graphic Arts High School/Mohawk Valley Community College, with six points, six rebounds and two blocked shots and from senior swingman Devin Dennard, Elmira, N.Y., Elmira High School/Corning Community College, seven points and three rebounds.
 
The Fighting Tigers will next be in action on Saturday November 11 when they host the Hawks of Hartwick College for a non-league affair with tip-off at 1:00 p.m.