A Quick Look
The SUNY Oneonta men's basketball team attempted to erase a 10-point halftime deficit but came up short at New Paltz tonight in the SUNYAC opener for both squads 75-67.  The loss drops the Red Dragons to 4-2 overall while the Hawks move to 2-2.
 
The Inside Story
Oneonta's comeback effort began coming out of halftime, as a layup by sophomore Frankie Williams (Bronx, NY/Fannie Lou) at 14:16 cut the New Paltz lead to four points at 45-41.  Four minutes later, the Red Dragons pulled to within a bucket after junior Dylan Trombley (Moriah, NY/Moriah) grabbed a defensive rebound and took it coast-to-coast for a layup.
 
Oneonta got a close as would come to tying the score when Williams made 1-of-2 free throws making the score 53-52 in favor of the Hawks with just over eight minutes remaining.
 
The Hawks seized control of the contest with an 11-2 burst to push its lead back to 10 points just two minutes later.  The run was capped by a layup by Sean St. Lucia.
 
Over the final 3:44, Oneonta hit only 4-of-13 shots while the Hawks converted seven of its free throws to hang on to its lead enroute to the eight-point victory.
 
Oneonta held the lead for most of the first half before New Paltz closed the opening 20 minutes with a 22-11 run to grab a 40-30 lead at the break.
 
Just the Stats
Oneonta held a big advantage of 50-24 in the paint and finished the game with a 43-38 rebound advantage that included 17 offensive rebounds.  The Red Dragons converted its second chances into 15 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Hawks' reserves who outscored Oneonta's reserves 27-7.
 
Oneonta had four players in double figures led by junior Michael Ortale Jr. (Bethlehem, NY/Bethlehem Central) who had 18 points to go with a team high 12 boards.  Trombley also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.  Seniors Daniel Derice (Tampa, FL/Wesley Chapel) and Sean Nolan (Voorheesville, NY/Voorheesville) added 12 points and 10 points respectively.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will travel to the North Country for games versus Plattsburgh and Potsdam this Friday and Saturday.