For the second straight year, the SUNY Oneonta men's basketball team played an exhibition game against Division I Albany to open the season.  The two teams used to play each other twice a year when they were together in the SUNYAC conference prior to Albany moving from Division III.
 
After Albany's Mike Rowley made a layup, senior Mikey McElroy (Saratoga Springs/Saratoga Springs) drained a three to give Oneonta its only lead of the contest.  The game was tied briefly at 4-4 before the Great Danes started to assert itself.
 
Oneonta battled tough and hung close for most of the first half.  The Red Dragons were still within striking distance only being 10 points down with just over five minutes to go in the half.  The Great Danes seized control with a closing run of 20-3 to grab a 53-26 halftime lead.
 
McElroy was the leading scorer for Oneonta with his 16 points.  He also added three assists and two blocks.
 
Fourteen players saw action last night with eight of them scoring at least two points.  Freshman Harrison Deegan (Putnam Valley/Putnam Valley) came off the bench to score nine points on 4-of-7 shooting.  Senior Lawrence Coleman (Croton on the Hudson/Hendrick Hudson) added eight points and four boards.
 
"Our guys played with tremendous heart and toughness and I was proud of their effort," said Head Coach Cameron Conover.  "We played a very good Division I team. Their size and strength wore us down, but our guys never stopped fighting. This game will benefit us for our regular season. I know our guys are eager to get back to work today."
 
Oneonta will open its regular season tomorrow night against SUNY Cobleskill in its opening game of the 2016 Holiday Inn Classic hosted by Hartwick College.  Tipoff for the Red Dragons is scheduled for 6pm.