The SUNY Oneonta men's basketball couldn't slow down rival Cortland during the second half dropping an 85-65 SUNYAC contest tonight at home to start the second semester.  The rival Red Dragons shot nearly 52 percent while converting 16-of-18 free throws to pick up the conference win going away.
 
Oneonta (5-5, 0-4 SUNYAC) was led by junior Ian Schultz (Clifton Park, NY/CBA) who scored a collegiate best 21 points.  Schultz made 8-of-10 shots from the floor while also pulling down a team high eight boards.  Sophomore Andres Rivera (Bronx, NY/Walton) came off the bench to score 17 points and junior Kevin Mackin (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) added 11 points.
 
The two teams battled to a deadlock through the first twenty minutes taking turns with the lead before heading to the break tied at 32 apiece.
 
Cortland (10-2, 4-1 SUNYAC) began pulling away in the opening four minutes of the second half building an 8-point advantage after a three-point play by senior Nicky Bonura.  Bonura was one of three players to reach double figures for Cortland scoring 18 points.
 
By the 10-minute mark, the visiting Red Dragons added to its lead when Kenny Charles finished off a fast break with a dunk giving Cortland a 58-45 lead.
 
A layup by Rivera cut the deficit to single digits one last time with just under nine minutes to go before Cortland countered with back-to-back baskets pushing their lead back into double digits where it would stay for the remainder of the contest.
 
Joining Bonura in double figures for Cortland was Justin Cooper who made 15-of-17 free throws in leading all scorers with 23 points.  Charles recorded a double double with 11 points and 10 boards.
 
Oneonta will host Geneseo on Friday and Brockport on Saturday in back-to-back SUNYAC games this weekend.  The Red Dragons are scheduled for a 7:30pm start Friday and 4pm on Saturday.