Marcy, N.Y.: With the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play-offs fast approaching, the SUNY Cobleskill men's basketball team continued their impressive play on the road outbattling the host Wildcats of the SUNY Polytechnic Institute in a game that could have an impact on the league's Western Division play-off picture by a 77-72 margin. With the victory the Fighting Tigers improve to 16-6 overall including a 7-4 conference record while the Wildcats fall to 11-12 overall with a 6-6 record in league action.

After trailing at the half the Fighting Tigers tied the game at 46-46 with 16:32 remaining on a lay-up by junior guard Andre Starks, Rochester, N.Y., Fairport High School/Corning Community College, then broke a 58-58 tie with 10:10 remaining when Starks canned a short jumper in the paint to give Cobleskill a 60-58 advantage.
The Orange & Black then went on an 11-3 run to give themselves a 69-61 lead with 5:55 left when Starks found junior center Markel Jenkins, Elmira, N.Y., Elmira High School/Corning Community College, cutting to the basket for a lay-up.

But the Wildcats would not fold and cut the visitors advantage to 72-69 on a lay-up by senior forward Jesse O'Dell, Rotterdam, N.Y., Schalmont High School, with 1:55 left in regulation.

However, Starks once again answered the Wildcats with a three-pointer to make it 75-69 with 59 seconds left allowing Cobleskill breathing room to withstand a fierce final comeback effort by the home team.

Once again Andre Starks led the Cobleskill attack with a game high 27 points and four rebounds while first-year swingman Jeremy Rosario, Colonie, N.Y., Colonie High School, chipped in 14 points, four rebounds and a blocked shot. Markel Jenkins also reached double figures in the victory with 13 points to go with a team high of nine rebounds.

The Fighting Tigers will next be in action on Saturday February 4 when they close out their weekend conference road trip versus the host Wildcats of Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, N.Y. beginning at 3:00 p.m.