ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Oneonta men's basketball team closed the second half on a 15-0 run to defeat Geneseo 76-58 Friday evening in Dewar Arena. Three Red Dragons scored in double digits as Oneonta moves to 10-10 overall and 7-6 in the SUNYAC. Geneseo falls to 11-10 and 8-6 in the conference. 

"We showed a lot of resilience tonight," head coach Cameron Conover said. Several players stepped up and made tough plays down the stretch. It was a good team win, and now we have to prepare for a strong Brockport team tomorrow."

Geneseo's Cole Kattan drained a triple to open the game and set the tone for a closely matched night. Oneonta responded with two quick baskets from junior Xavier Hill and sophomore Elijah Castillo. Hill netted two more scores to cap off an 8-0 run and give the Red Dragons a five-point lead. Junior PJ Laidley and sophomore Delano Knox scored inside to push the Oneonta lead to 12-5.

The Knights got within three points following a three-pointer from Kattan at 11:55, but Laidley scored four consecutive points to make it 18-11. Oneonta kept Geneseo at bay, and Castillo hit a trey at 9:40 to spur a 10-0 run comprised of a three from senior Ryan Teaney and a layup by junior Caleb Brown. Hill pushed the lead to 36-22, and Laidley scored inside to give the Red Dragons its largest lead at 16 points. 

A 6-0 Geneseo span brought the score to 40-30. Laidley closed the half splitting free throws to make it 41-30 heading into the break. 

Kattan and Josh Garelle netted the opening baskets of the second to bring the game within seven points. Castillo hit a jumper at 18:19 before the Knights rattled off ten unanswered points to take a one-point lead. Freshman Mohammad Sylla knocked down a jump shot at 14:26 to retake the lead. The game remained within five points until sophomore Daniel Penubothula knocked down a three-pointer at 6:10 to push Oneonta up 62-56. 

Kattan hit free throws at 5:04 to cut the lead to four points. Oneonta shut out Genese in the final five minutes to move to .500 on the season. 

Hill led Oneonta with 24 points, eight rebounds, one block, and a steal. Castillo added 17 points, five boards, and four assists. Laidley added 14 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. Penubothula had seven points, seven boards, and seven blocks, which tied for second in a single game in program history. 

Kattan scored 21 points with six rebounds for Geneseo. Robert Perocolosi added ten points and nine boards.

Oneonta next plays at home on Sat. Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. against Brockport.