A Quick Look
Senior Sean Nolan (Voorheesville, NY/Voorheesville) made a pair of free throws in the final 36 seconds to lift the SUNY Oneonta men's basketball team to a 65-63 victory over Buffalo State today in SUNYAC men's action.  The win for the Red Dragons raises its overall record to 13-7 overall and 9-4 in the conference while the Bengals fall to 3-17 overall and 2-11 in the conference.
 
"We survived," said Head Coach Cameron Conover.  "We knew this was going to be a tough game, as Buffalo is playing well right now.  Give them credit, they played very hard."
 
Conover continued, "I am proud of our guys who stayed together when things got tight.  We made the plays we needed and we found a way to win."
 
The Inside Story
The two teams combined for only 10 points in the overtime period after the game ended at 59 apiece.  In addition to Nolan's free throws, freshman Caleb Brown (Brooklyn, NY/Uncommon Charter) made a pair of free throws and sophomore Dylan Craft (Hyde Park, NY/Franklin D. Roosevelt) made a layup.
 
Oneonta had a four-point lead coming out of halftime and continued to hold its advantage before an 8-0 run by Buffalo State gave them a 43-40 lead at the 15:55 mark.  It was the first lead for the Bengals since the 11:49 mark of the first half.
 
The Red Dragons regained the lead midway through the second half when they scored seven unanswered to grab a 53-49 lead.  A three-pointer by Brown put Oneonta ahead before a layup by junior Dylan Trombley (Moriah, NY/Moriah) capped the run.  The two squads would be tied again at 53, 57 and finally 59 forcing the extra session.
 
A 10-0 run midway through the opening half created some breathing room for Oneonta, as they opened up a 24-15 lead.  Five different players scored a bucket capped by a Craft layup at 8:46. The Red Dragons built its lead to as many as 11 points with just under six minutes to go in the opening half before the Bengals closed the half with a 11-4 spurt of its own to cut its deficit to 35-31 entering the break.
 
Just the Stats
Craft and Brown led the reserves tonight combining for 17 points outscoring Buffalo's bench by 11 points.
 
Senior Daniel Derice (Tampa, FL/Wesley Chapel) registered a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.  Trombley also added 13 points and junior Michael Ortale Jr. (Bethlehem, NY/Bethlehem Central) contributed 10 points.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will play at Fredonia tomorrow with a 3pm tipoff.