ONEONTA, NY – Four Hawks' scored in double-figures as 'Wick would come away with a 90-81 victory over SUNY Cobleskill in the final game of the Holiday Inn Classic at Lambros Arena Saturday. The Hawks move up to 2-1 on the developing season while the Fighting Tigers remain winless at 0-3.
The starting duo of senior forwards Justin Pratt (North Kingstown, RI/North Kingstown HS) and Jake Sinicki (Endicott, NY/Maine-Endwell HS) each notched 15 points to compliment three and six boards, respectively. Senior guard Joey Lufkin (Argyle, NY/Argyle) tied for a game-high with 21 points while adding seven dimes to the 'Wick offense.
Sophomore guard Brandon LaForest (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes HS) registered nine points all coming from behind the arc, while off the bench, junior forward Marc du Moulin (Altamont, NY/Guilderland HS) and junior guard Corey Baker (Granby, MA/Granby HS) credited 10 and eight points, respectively, of the 28 generated by the reserves.
A quartet of Fighting Tigers also scored in double-figures spearheaded by Quincey Miller's 21-point effort to go along with eight boards and three assists.
The Hawks shot over 50% from the floor (32-59) while Cobleskill went 27-58 as a team (46.6%). Both squads were nearly identical from downtown with Hartwick hitting 41.6% from distance (15-36) and Cobleskill, 40.7% (11-27).
Miller would get the ball rolling at Lambros, scoring the first shot following opening tip along the right baseline ultimately proving to be Cobleskill's only lead the entire game.
Despite the Hawks' early control, Cobleskill evened the score. Christian Cooper would sink the long-ball for the road team with roughly half to go in the first to simmer the Hawks' momentum, 17-17.
However, it would not be long until LaForest found his range from downtown sinking a three on the ensuing possession, 20-17.
The Hawks continued to add to their lead until a Hawks' turnover resulted in a three on the other end to bring the foe back within one, 26-25, at 7:31.
In rhythm, LaForest nailed his third three in less than five minutes capping off a 15-6 run by the Hawks with 3:58 to go behind the break.
Du Moulin used the glass for two on the pass from Sinicki at 2:13 which marked the last scoring play of the first half as the host imposed a five-point deficit for the Fighting Tigers, 45-40, heading into the locker room.
Out of the intermission, 'Wick got its advantage back to ten, 50-40, on a drive from Sinicki resulting in two and then a Lufkin three from the wing.
On a three-point make from Pratt, the Hawks corralled a 17-0 run, capped off by a du Moulin lay-in, 60-43, to notch its largest lead of the game with 14:59 to go in the contest. The deficit would be matched again at the 12:41, 4:43, and 2:15 marks for the convincing win.
Next on men's basketball's schedule is a battle with Wesleyan University next Saturday, November 26th at 6 p.m. in Rochester, NY.
In game one of the second day at The Classic, No. 19 Keene State earned a 104-90 decision to stay perfect on the season at 3-0 and handed Oneonta its first loss of the season, 1-1. The Owls credited six double-figure scorers and dominated on the glass scoring 39 second-chances points to protect their untarnished mark. Dizel Wright led with 22 points and five rebounds while Ty Nichols with 21 points and eight boards and Matt Ozella with 16-9 nearly notched double-doubles. Lawrence Coleman ended in the forefront for the Red Dragons with 26 points and eight boards while standout Mike McElroy posted 18 points in the loss.