ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Oneonta men's basketball team recorded five players in double-digit scoring in the 87-67 win over Fredonia on Friday evening. Sophomore Elijah Castillo (Bronx, NY/St. Raymonds) led the way behind 23 points as the Red Dragons move to 8-9 overall and 5-5 in the SUNYAC. The Blue Devils fall to 5-13 and 2-8 in the conference.

"I thought we played good defense to start the game," said head coach Cameron Conover. "However, we can certainly be more consistent with our overall effort. Tomorrow is another oppurtunity for us to improve and I know our guys will be excited."

Fredonia's David Jordan scored the opening three-pointer, but that proved to be the Blue Devil's only lead of the night. Oneonta answered with a 13-0 run with six points from Castillo. He scored the following two Oneonta baskets to push the Red Dragons ahead 20-8 at 11:49. Fredonia cut the lead to eight behind a Naejon Ward basket, but inside scores from junior PJ Laidley (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Pembroke Pines Charter) and sophomore Tyler Harts (Queens, NY/Sewanaka) brought Oneonta back up by double digits. 

Junior Xavier Hill (Johnson City, NY/Johnson City) extended the Red Dragons' lead to 30-14 after draining a triple at 6:22. Fredonia's Keenan Roberts Jr. netted the following three points before freshman Mohammad Sylla (Bronx, NY/Darrow) converted a fast break layup off a Graham Wooden (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) steal and assist at 4:55. 

With the score 35-17, the Blue Devils closed out the half on a 6-0 run to make it a 12-point game at the break. 

Wooden opened the second half by draining a triple at 18:46. Fredonia cut the lead to 11 before another Wooden trey at 14:31 made it 46-32. Layups from Syllan and Laidley pushed Oneonta ahead 55-39 at 11:23, and then Sylla sank a three-pointer at 10:54 to further the lead to 17 points.

Oneonta led by as much as 24 points as the Red Dragons handled the Blue Devils down the stretch. 

Castillo finished with 23 points and five rebounds, while Sylla scored a career-high 15 points with three steals. Wooden added 11 points, six boards, and five assists, and Harts tacked on 11. Laidley had ten points and six rebounds. 

Tyrese Fuller led Fredonia with 17 points, five rebounds, and two steals, while Roberts scored 14 points. 

Oneonta next hosts Buffalo State on Sat. Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. in Dewar Arena.