BROCKPORT, N.Y. - The sixth-seeded Oneonta men's basketball team defeated third-seeded Brockport 75-68 in the SUNYAC First Round on Tuesday evening to advance to the semifinals. The Red Dragons now travel to face New Paltz on Fri. Feb. 23 at Oswego, NY at 5:30 p.m.

Oneonta fell behind 7-2 in the first following a Caquan Wester three-pointer at 17:24. Junior Xavier Hill answered with an and-one to cut the lead to two, but Brockport continued to hold a narrow lead. After some back-and-forth scoring, junior Caleb scored inside at 13:32 to make it 13-11. Danny Ashley responded with a trey to push the Golden Eagles' lead to 16-11. 

Sophomore Elijah Castillo hit two consecutive jumpers to cut the lead to 16-15, and sophomore Delano Knox converted inside to give Oneonta its first lead at 17-16. Brockport retook the lead at 9:35, but a dunk from freshman Daniel Penubothula made it 19-18. 

Brockport took a four-point lead after a three from Nathaniel Gordon at 7:33. The Red Dragons hung around with five straight Hill points, retaking the lead at 29-28. The teams traded single-digit leads, and Brockport led 38-35 with 50 seconds remaining. Hill scored the final basket of the half to make it 38-37 heading into the break. 

Oneonta outscored Brockport 16-5 in the first six minutes of the second, with senior Graham Wooden hitting a three-pointer at 14:31 to extend the Red Dragons' lead to 53-43. Oneonta continued to stay up and capitalized on a Brockport technical at 11:34 to male it 59-47. Wester brought the score within ten following a jumper at 10:34. Knox split free throws, and Wooden drained another three-pointer at 9:37 to make it 63-49. The Golden Eagles chipped back in by using a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 65-59 with 5:19 left in the game. Wooden pushed Oneonta up 67-59 with a quick mid-range jump shot, but Brockport's Wester hit a triple to make it a five-point game. The Golden Eagles fouled freshman Mohammad Sylla with 28 seconds left, and the first-year hit both to make it 75-68 as the Red Dragons held on for the victory. 

Hill recorded a double-double with 19 points and 19 rebounds, while Wooden added 18 points, six boards, two assists, and a steal. Castillo scored 15 points and had six rebounds. 

Wester finished with 19 points, six boards, two blocks, and a steal. Milo Scheve had 12 points, and Alex Tavarez scored 10. 

Oneonta plays New Paltz in the SUNYAC Semifinals on Fri. Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Oswego.