Men's Volleyball Finishes Opening Weekend With Two More Sweeps

ANGOLA, Ind. – The St. John Fisher men's volleyball team swept Lancaster Bible and Mount St. Joseph on Saturday to complete a 3-0 season-opening weekend at the Trine University Quad Match. 

The Cardinals, ranked No. 11 in the AVCA Coaches Poll to start the season, swept all three of their opponents in the two-day event. 

Match 1: St. John Fisher 3, Lancaster Bible 0

• The Cardinals won the first set 25-23, the second 25-16 and the third 25-22. 

• The Cardinals rallied back from a 16-11 deficit in the third set. They scored

Men's Basketball Cruises to Win Over Old Westbury on CYO Day

PHOTOS CREDIT: Farmingdale State

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | The Farmingdale State College men's basketball team cruised to an 89-66 win over Skyline Conference opponent Old Westbury on Saturday afternoon. The Rams improved to 6-7 on the season and 3-1 in Skyline competition, while the Panthers dropped to 6-6, 1-3.

Saturday marked the seventh annual CYO Day at Farmingdale State, where youth

Men’s Basketball Opens AMCC Play in Dominant Fashion

GREENSBURG, PA – In what can only be described as a dominating performance, the Medaille College Men's Basketball team went on the road Saturday afternoon to face the defending AMCC Champion Pitt-Greensburg Bobcats. It was all Medaille from the jump, as the Mavs left Pennsylvania with a (90-57) victory in the conference opener.

The Mavericks came out of the gates on fire against the defending AMCC Champions, taking it to the Bobcats early and often in Greensburg. Nine different Mavs found their way on the scoresheet in the opening (20) minutes of the ball game, including a team-high (12) from sophomore Meghale Ford (Laurel, MD, Theodore Roosevelt (DC)) in the first half.

Medaille got the offense going early, opening the game on an (8-0) run over the game's first two minutes. The lead surged to (17-5) after junior Mike Hollenbeck (Ontario, NY, Wayne Central) scored his third bucket of the contest, putting the Mavs up double-digits early.

That double-digit lead did nothing but grow as the first half continued, as wave after wave of Maverick offense overwhelmed the Bobcats on their home court. The Mavs shot an incredible (46.2%) from the field in the opening frame, while also connecting on (40%) of their shots from behind the three-point line.

Just as impressive was Medaille's defensive performance in the first half. The Mavericks entered halftime with a (25-20) edge in rebounds all while holding Pitt-Greensburg to under (36%) shooting from the floor.

The largest lead of the half came right before the buzzer for Medaille, as Sean Wilson (East Aurora, NY, St. Mary's of Lancaster) hit a free-throw to put the Mavs up (48-26) going into the break.

The second half was much of the same for the Mavericks, as Medaille made a statement to the rest of the AMCC that they came to play. The Maverick lead never dipped below (19) in the second half, as Medaille cruised to a (90-57) victory.

Individually there were a number of Mavericks who stood out in the conference opener. Ford (19), senior Johnathan Belton (Amherst, NY, Amherst) (15), Hollenbeck (12), junior Justice Fagan (Batavia, NY, Batavia) (11), and freshman Jonathan Smith (Accokeek, MD, Clarion Area (PA)) (10) all scored in double-figures for the Mavericks on a day where the team as a whole shot an impressive (48.6%) from the floor.

(12) Mavericks recorded at least one rebound on the afternoon as well, with Hollenbeck, Fagan, Smith, and Wilson all grabbing five to lead the way.

While the offense will catch a lot of people's eyes, it was the defense that may have been the catalyst for the dominating performance. The Mavericks forced the Bobcats to turn the ball over an astounding (28) times overall. (16) of those resulted in steals for the Blue and Gold, while Medaille also held Pitt-Greensburg to just (37.0%) shooting from the field.

Their perimeter defense was even better, allowing the Bobcats to connect on just (27.3%) from behind the three point line.

The win improved Medaille's record to (3-3) overall and (1-0) in AMCC play, as they get ready to host cross-town rival Hilbert College on Wednesday, December 7 at 8:00pm in the Sullivan Center.

STIRE’S DOUBLE-DOUBLE NOT ENOUGH AS UALBANY MEN’S BASKETBALL EDGED IN NAILBITER AT YALE 59-55

UAlbany Sports Information   12-03-2016

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The UAlbany men’s basketball team pulled to within one late and had possession in the final 18 seconds but could not go ahead, narrowly falling at Yale 59-55 on Saturday afternoon.

UAlbany (4-4) was down six with five minutes to go at reigning Ivy League champion Yale (3-4), getting to within one point numerous times in the final minute, but could not go ahead.

“It was a good, solid basketball game against a well-coached team,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown. “You had two teams that mirrored each other, and our guys did a good job to get in position to win down the stretch.”

UAlbany scored 32 points in the paint to Yale’s 18, but was edged in three-point shots 11-2.  As a team, UAlbany shot 44% from the field and 90% from the free throw line.

Greig Stire finished with his second double-double of the season, picking up 13 points, off 5-6 shooting and 3-3 from the charity stripe, and a game-best 10 rebounds.  David Nichols led UAlbany in scoring with 14 points and assists with five.

For Yale, each Anthony Dallier and Alex Copeland each tallied 15 points, with the former adding five assists and four rebounds.

Stire led the offense in the opening possessions, backing into the paint for the first two baskets, then kicking out to Marqueese Grayson for the corner three for a 7-0 UAlbany advantage two minutes in.

Yale countered with a couple of three-point plays, then took the lead off a Sam Downey layup.  The two sides kept exchanging the lead, with Grayson hitting his second three-pointer on a kick-out to push UAlbany back ahead.  The defense held Yale without a field goal for over seven minutes, adding to the lead primarily with Travis Charles hitting three baskets, including a spin move and layup, to go up 22-11 with 8:16 left in the 1st.

UAlbany continued to defend against Yale shooting threes with its man-to-man defense.  With a couple of Anthony Dallier threes, Yale got to within a possession at 26-23 with under two minutes in the 1st.

UAlbany’s guards attacked the basket on its final couple of possessions, seeing Grayson get fouled and hit two free throws, then Nichols hit a layup down the baseline at the first half buzzer for a 30-23 advantage at the break.

The home team continued its three-point shooting, hitting a trio to pull to a tie in the opening three minutes of the half at 34-34.  UAlbany countered with scores on four straight possessions, including a steal and score from Nichols and four points from Mike Rowley, to go back up 42-34 with 13:45 left in the 2nd.

Yale continued to pick-and-pop as UAlbany kept defending, but could not build the lead.  Copeland hit a pair of threes off screens to tie the game at 44-44, then took the lead on a pair of one-hand floaters plus a couple of other baskets for a 50-44 Yale lead with 5:34 left.

UAlbany stopped Yale’s run with a layup and one by Stire.  Back and forth the teams traded points with the Great Danes continuing to get within one point, including on a steal and score by Nichols with 1:47 left.  The sides traded again, and UAlbany held on defense with Joe Cremo pulling down a rebound to give UAlbany possession down 56-55 with 18 seconds left.

UAlbany called a timeout, and Cremo got the ball as was fouled for a one-and-one.  His first attempt rimmed out, with Yale getting the rebound.  Yale sealed the game with free throws to take the victory 59-55.

UAlbany returns home for its next game, hosting in-state opponent Marist at the SEFCU Arena on Wednesday, December 7th at 7 p.m.  Tickets are available through the UAlbany ticket office at ualbanysports.com/tickets and 518-442-DANE.

Wolves Earn First Victory of the Season in Overtime

Recap, photo courtesy of Keuka College

COBLESKILL, N.Y. – The Keuka College Men's Basketball team outscored SUNY Cobleskill 10-4 in overtime as they defeated the Fighting Tigers 84-78 on Saturday.

Keuka College (1-5, 1-1 NEAC) faces SUNY Poly on Sunday to conclude their North Eastern Athletic Conference weekend.

Cliff Stevens led Keuka with a career-high 22 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds in the game. Fellow junior Dylan Doupe recorded the first double-double of the season for Keuka College with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Overall, Keuka had five players score 10 or more points. Trevor Powell had 16 points and Greg Tyler and Cameron Winston each added 10.

Cliff Stevens made the first two shots of the afternoon for Keuka College, both three points, as a part of an 8-0 run by the Wolves to start the game. Keuka College would grow their lead to 10 points, 15-5, but the Fighting Tigers responded. An 11-2 spurt by Cobleskill narrowed the margin to one point. SUNY Cobleskill was later able to tie the game, but each time Keuka had an answer. A late six point run, capped by a layup by Trevor Powell pushed Keuka's lead back to seven with two minutes left. At the half, the Wolves led the Fighting Tigers 38-33.

Keuka College had another hot start, scoring the first seven points in the second half to grow their lead to 45-33. The 12 point margin was the largest of the game. SUNY Cobleskill responded with a run of their own. After nine unanswered points, the difference was back to three points. Keuka remained ahead of SUNY Cobleskill until three minutes left. The Fighting Tigers had an 11-3 run, giving them a 68-67 lead with three minutes left. The Wolves responded as Stevens knocked down a pair of free throws. Cobleskill tied it up going to the final minute. Three times Keuka College went 1-2 from the line in an attempt to close out the game. The three point margin would be erased as SUNY Cobleskill hit a running three in the final seconds to force overtime with the game tied 74-74.

Twice SUNY Cobleskill took a one-point lead in the extra period, but the deficit would be quickly erased by Keuka. A layup by Cliff Stevens with under two minutes left to play gave Keuka a 79-78 lead, a lead they would not relinquish. The Wolves held SUNY Cobleskill just 2-8 from the floor in overtime as Keuka College continued onto the 84-78 conference victory.

Bantams best Bard, 70-57

Photo, recap courtesy of Bard

REDHOOK, N.Y. - Trinity College used a 24-10 run in the second half to put Bard College away Saturday afternoon, 70-57.

The Raptors (2-5) and Bantams of Trinity (2-3)  began the day trading baskets, as the lead changed seven times within the first five minutes of the game. However, as the first half progressed, Trinity eventually took the lead and didn't relinquish it the rest of the time.

Bard didn't make it easy on the visitors though, remaining within single digits for most of the first half. They got within three points on three separate occasions during the 20-minute frame, but couldn't retake the lead.

As the halftime buzzer sounded, Bard headed to the locker room down ten, 38-28.

Once the second half began, it become the opposite of the first half, as neither side could buy a bucket in the opening minutes. Trinity finally broke that trend with a three pointer, with 17:05 remaining in the half.

Scoring remained the issue for the Raptors most of the second half, as the hosts just couldn't score points. From the beginning of the second half, until 4:24 remained, Bard was outscored, 24-10, as Trinity built a 62-38 lead.

After Trinity blew the game open, Bard started to rally and score, but it came too late.

The Raptors finished the day with three double-digit scorers, as the backcourt duo of Harry Johnson and Chris Lockwood each scored 15 points. Armando Dunn added 14 points. The hosts really shot the three ball well on the day, hitting 60 percent of their attempts, but unfortunately only shot 37 percent from the field overall.

Trinity finished the game shooting 47 percent from the field and were led on the day by Ed Ogundeko (Brooklyn,NY), who scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Eric Gendron (Merrimack, NH) added 15 points.

The Bard College men's basketball team will return to action, December 6th, as it travels to Westfield, MA to take on Westfield State University.

Medaille College Men's Basketball Announces 2016-17 Schedule

• 2016-17 SCHEDULE

BUFFALO, NY – The Medaille College Men's Basketball program has released their 2016-17 regular season schedule this afternoon, and there are plenty of dates to mark on the calendar over the next five months.
 
The 2016-17 Mavericks schedule is highlighted by the return of the WNY Knee and Orthopedic Surgery Tournament, as well as trips to Hofstra University and Baldwin Wallace University for the Baldwin Wallace Invitational.
 
The Men's Basketball season kicks off on Tuesday, November 15 when the Mavericks travel to take on the Knights of SUNY Geneseo in Geneseo. This will be the ninth year in a row that the Mavericks and Knights will face off, with SUNY Geneseo having taken six of the last eight meetings. Coincidentally the last Maverick win in the series came five years to the day of the season opener, when Medaille took down the Knights (76-56) on November 15, 2011.
 
"We have had a history of tight games with Geneseo State," explained Head Coach Mike Blaine.

Men's Basketball Gold Caps Rio Olympic Games For Team USA

RIO DE JANEIRO – Kevin Durant made sure Team USA put an exclamation point on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

He scored 30 points as the United States won the gold medal in men’s basketball Sunday, routing Serbia 96-66 after leading by as many as 41 points.

For the first time in history, the United States won both the first gold medal (shooter Ginny Thrasher in women’s 10-meter air rifle) and the last at an Olympic Games in summer competition.

Good shooting played a part in the bookend gold medals. Durant scored 24 points in the first half on 64 percent shooting and in the second quarter he outscored Serbia all by himself 18-14 with seven baskets, including four 3-pointers.

Team USA has now won 25 straight games in Olympic competition dating back to the bronze-medal

Panthers Hold Off Orange, 72-71

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Syracuse came up short against Pittsburgh 72-71, despite diminishing a 12-point Panther lead in the final four minutes of the contest on Wednesday afternoon in the second round of the ACC Tournament at the Verizon Center.

A 7-0 run by Pitt in a span of less than a minute gave the Panthers a 12-point lead approaching the four-minute mark, resulting in an Orange timeout, 66-54. The Orange came bouncing back, as freshman Malachi Richardson registered his second three of the game at the 3:14 mark to make it a seven-point game. A 3-pointer by grad student Michael Gbinije brought it within four with 2:31 left, 68-64.

A big dunk by Gbinije tied it up at 68 with two minutes left, and the two teams proceeded to hold each other scoreless for almost a minute before Pitt got back on board with a layup and a jumper with 22 seconds left, 72-68. Four seconds later, Gbinije made it a one-point game with his fourth three of the contest, 72-71. The score remained the same heading into the final seconds, as a last-second three by grad student Trevor Cooney fell short, finalizing a one-point victory for Pitt.

Gbinije led the Orange with 24 points on the afternoon, as he finished 9-17 from the field and 4-6

Seymore reminisces ahead of MAAC induction

FREDONIA, New York -- Fredonia men's basketball coach Phil Seymore was once a kid from Brooklyn looking to make his mark.

After attending junior college in Kansas, he made his way to Canisius College -- seemingly to be closer to home -- and thus embarked upon a basketball journey which resulted in induction into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame and onto the Canisius Men's Basketball All-Century Team.

He will add another honor later this month when his name is placed on the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Hall of Fame Honor Roll. The enshrinement is Oct. 17 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

Seymore sat down last month with members of the Canisius Sports Information Department to reminisce. Among his reflections: Coaching the D-III Blue Devils.