A Quick Look

Senior Harrison Deegan scored a career high 23 points in leading the SUNY Oneonta men's basketball team to a 75-69 victory over Williams College in overtime.  The win for the Red Dragons was its initial victory of 2019-20 season after dropping its first two games of the season.

"I am really proud of our guys," said Head Coach Cameron Conover.  "Tonight, was a hard-fought win against a very good team.  We asked our guys to give their best effort for 40 minutes, and we ended up needing 45 minutes.  Our guys rose to the challenge and we found a way to win.   We will enjoy the win tonight but get right back to work tomorrow preparing for a tough Hartwick team Thursday."

The Inside Story

Oneonta scored the first four points of overtime and never looked back.  Back-to-back baskets by Deegan and junior Andres Rivera in the first minute gave the Red Dragons its initial push.

A trey by senior Kevin Mackin gave Oneonta a 66-60 lead at the halfway point of overtime.  Deegan finished the contest with 18 points.

Oneonta held its six-point lead with 41 seconds to go in the extra period.  Cole Prowitt-Smith then hit a three for Williams (2-1) to cut the deficit in half.  Junior Joe Bull then made 2-of-4 free throws before another bucket by Prowitt-Smith finished the scoring for the Ephs.

The game was tied at 53 apiece with 3:40 remaining in regulation.  A pair of buckets by Deegan gave the Red Dragons a 57-53 lead with just under two minutes to go.  Williams chipped away at the lead to tie the game once again at 57 apiece with 29 seconds left.  Neither team could score on its last possession of regulation including a desperation heave that hit the front of the rim for the Ephs as time expired.

Oneonta made a late run in the first half to grab a 31-30 lead at halftime.  The Red Dragons trailed 27-19 with 3:34 remaining in the opening half before closing the half on a 12-3 spurt.  Mackin scored five points and Deegan added four points including a layup with 36 seconds to go, which gave Oneonta its lead.

A pair of baskets by Matt Karpowicz gave the Ephs an early 4-0 lead.  The Red Dragons countered with seven unanswered to take its initial lead of the contest.  The two squads then took turns with the lead over the next nine minutes before Williams opened up a 22-17 advantage.

Just the Stats

Oneonta converted 20-of-26 free throws tonight while Williams only made 9-of-14.  The Ephs held a slight rebound advantage of 54-47.  The Red Dragons only turned the ball over 11 times and converted 12 Williams' turnovers into 13 points.

Prowitt-Smith led the Ephs with 17 points.  Joining Deegan and Mackin in double figures was Rivera who finished with 12 points.

What's Next

Oneonta will travel to nearby Hartwick College on Thursday night for its annual matchup with the Hawks beginning at 7:30pm.