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SUNY Oneonta senior #Brian Beckford (Brooklyn/Christ the King)# scored a season high 25 points to go with 15 rebounds to lead the men's basketball team past rival Cortland tonight 66-55 in the first semifinal game of the SUNYAC tournament at Plattsburgh. The win for Oneonta gives them 22 wins on the season, which establishes a new single season mark set back in 1976-77. The victory also puts Oneonta in the championship game of the SUNYAC tournament, which is only the second time ever and the first since 1991.

“This was a big win for the program,” said Beckford after the game. “I am proud to be a part of history at Oneonta and to be a part of the team that made history. We are looking forward to playing tomorrow in the championship game.”

Junior #Troy Talbot (Brooklyn/The School for Legal Studies)# also reached double figures tonight for Oneonta as he added 14 points including four points down the stretch when Oneonta only had a four-point lead late.

When asked about the significance of the win, Talbot had this to say, “At the end of last season we all set goals individually and as a team. It feels amazing to see all of our hard work pay off. I am very excited to be a part of something special.”

A traditional three-point play by Talbot gave Oneonta a 48-37 lead at the 13:42 mark of the second half. It was Oneonta's first double-digit lead since the 5:39 mark of the first half.

Cortland would not away as the rival Red Dragons battled back to cut Oneonta's lead to 52-48 at 9:01 remaining on a layup by Paul Oliver.

The two teams traded baskets during the next four minutes as Oneonta continued to lead by four points at 56-52 at the 5:30 mark. The two teams would then go scoreless for three minutes until a pair of free throws by Talbot started Oneonta's game-ending spurt to victory.

After a missed layup by Cortland, Talbot hit a jumper on the ensuing possession to give Oneonta a 60-52 lead with 1:42 left in the contest. Beckford sealed the deal with four free throws in the final minute of lay for the final margin of victory.

Oneonta had an early 9-6 lead on a dunk by Beckford at the 14:48 mark of the first half. Oneonta began to create some breathing room and built a lead of 11 points at the 5:39 mark on a dunk by senior #Kevin Walsh (Middletown/Minisink Valley)#.

A quick 8-2 spurt by Cortland cut the Oneonta lead back to five points on a basket by Brian Manning on a Beckford turnover. Cortland made the most of eight Oneonta turnovers in the first half, converting all of them into baskets.  Oneonta went into the intermission leading 35-28.

“I am very proud of the entire team,” said head coach Vince Medici. “They have worked very hard all season. I'm excited about what they have accomplished and what challenges they still have ahead.”