A Quick Look
Junior Dylan Trombley (Moriah, NY/Moriah) scored a season high 27 points to lead the SUNY Oneonta men's basketball team to a convincing 79-62 victory tonight against SUNY Potsdam.  The win for the Red Dragons raises its overall record to 16-8 and 12-5 in the SUNYAC, as they move to within one game of possibly clinching the No. 2 seed and a bye for the upcoming conference tournament.
 
"I thought our guys played really hard on both ends of the floor," said Head Coach Cameron Conover.  "In the first half we settled for some shots, but we really started being more aggressive in the second half and did a good job of attacking the paint.  Winning is hard and we are happy with the win, but our focus now turns to our game with Plattsburgh tomorrow."
 
The Inside Story
After taking the lead 26-25 late in the first half, Oneonta never looked back.  Potsdam only managed to pull within a basket twice early in the second half, as the Red Dragons slowly increased its lead throughout the half gaining its largest lead at the end.  The exclamation point was a dunk by junior Michael Ortale Jr. (Bethlehem, NY/Bethlehem Central) as time expired.
 
The two teams battled tightly in the first half with five ties and five lead changes.  The hosts did hold the lead for over 11 minutes in the opening half including 31-28 at the break.
 
Oneonta trailed 6-2 and 8-5 early in the first half before a three-pointer by sophomore Frankie Williams (Bronx, NY/Fannie Lou) tied the game at 8-8.  Williams' basket was the first of 10 unanswered for the Red Dragons, as they created some breathing room at 15-8.
 
Potsdam countered with an 11-4 burst that included seven unanswered points capped by a Tyrese Baptiste layup to knot the score again at 19-19.
 
For the remaining 8:34 of the first half, the squads took turns with the lead until a Williams free throw put Oneonta in the lead for the remaining 4:51.
 
Just the Stats
Oneonta held a 42-36 rebound advantage while making 23 free throws.  They also outscored Potsdam 20-6 on fastbreak points.
 
Joining Trombley in double figures tonight was Ortale Jr. and senior Sean Nolan (Voorheesville, NY/Voorheesville) with 15 points each and Williams who finished with 12 points.  Nolan also added nine boards as did classmate Daniel Derice (Tampa, FL/Wesley Chapel).  Trombley and Williams combined to shoot 15-of-20 from the charity stripe.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will play its final regular season game tomorrow at home versus Plattsburgh beginning at 4pm.
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