Cobleskill, NY: The SUNY Cobleskill men's basketball team used a big second-half performance to secure a 67-58 victory over Alfred State in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon.

Chalik Rush (Manhattan, NY/Graphic Arts) delivered a sensational all-around performance with nine points, eight rebounds, and a career-high seven blocks, tying the program record for most blocks in a game at the NCAA Division III level. Jermaine Wheeler (Manhattan, NY/Marist) paced the Fighting Tigers with 14 points and 11 rebounds, earning another double-double. Elijah Morris (Mount Vernon, NY) added 14 points, five assists, three steals and three rebounds, while Quanire Greene (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn) chipped in with 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.  Marquay Tanksley (Cohoes, NY) also contributed 11 points and five boards.

Cobleskill shot 35.8 percent from the field compared to Alfred State's 26.8 percent. The Fighting Tigers dominated defensively, setting a program record at the Division III level with 12 total blocks. Cobleskill also held a 52-51 edge in rebounds, scored 12 points off turnovers, and tallied eight fast-break points while committing just five turnovers to Alfred State's eight.

The first half was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm offensively. A free throw from Tristian George (Mount Vernon, NY) tied the game at 18-18 with five minutes remaining in the half. Moments later, a layup by Chace Peterson (Troy, NY), assisted by Nasir Snell (Spackenkill, NY), knotted the score again at 22-22 with 1:40 to play. Alfred State's Michael Miller, who finished with 18 points, helped the Pioneers edge ahead 27-24 at halftime. Cobleskill stayed close thanks to Wheeler's 10 first-half points and key contributions from Morris.

The Fighting Tigers found their stride in the second half, shooting 46.7% from the field while holding Alfred State to just 25.7%. Cobleskill tied the game at 36-36 with 15:16 remaining before going on a 6-0 run to take a 42-36 lead, capped by a jumper from Morris. Tanksley extended the lead to 51-46 with a floater in the paint, assisted by Greene, at the 9:07 mark. Alfred State rallied to tie the game at 56-56 with 3:12 left, but the Tigers answered with another 6-0 run, building a 62-56 advantage with 1:38 to play. Morris' jumper kept the lead at six in the final minute, and Tanksley sealed the victory with a fast-break dunk in the closing seconds.

The Fighting Tigers, now 4-5 on the season, will look to carry this momentum into their next game at Russell Sage College on January 3 at 5:00 p.m.