MORRISVILLE, N.Y. - The Oneonta men's basketball team had four players score in double digits, but it was not enough as the Red Dragons fell to Morrisville 80-74 on Saturday afternoon. Oneonta falls to 14-10 overall and 9-8 in the SUNYAC, while Morrisville moves to 12-11 and 8-8 in the conference.
Three-pointers from sophomore Kobe Long (Rochester, NY/McQuaid) and Elijah Castillo (Bronx, NY/St. Raymonds) gave Oneonta a 17-7 lead at 13:15. Castillo converted an and-one to give the Red Dragons a 20-8 lead before the Mustangs pulled within six following a 6-0 run.
Two consecutive baskets from Avion Grainger cut the Oneonta lead to 21-18. The Mustangs used a 5-0 span to tie at 23-23, but Castillo scored the following three points to retake the lead.
The Mustangs rattled off seven unanswered points to take a four-point lead. After some back-and-forth scoring, Morrisville closed out the half on a 6-2 span to lead 36-30.
The Mustangs took a double-digit lead, with Kareem Sanders throwing down a dunk at 17:01. A triple from Yvan Fils-Aime and a jumper by Sanders pushed Morrisville ahead 47-32. Oneonta fought back to pull within single digits when Castillo converted another and-one at 10:56.
Jordan Coard scored inside at 9:08, and freshman Cam LaClair (Selkirk, NY/Bethlehem) made a layup to make it 54-47. Senior Caleb Brown (Brooklyn, NY/Uncommon Charter) cut the lead to five following a pair of free throws at 7:02, and Long knocked down a three-pointer to make it 57-54.
Morrisville responded with a 7-0 run to return the lead to double digits.
With 1:10 remaining, freshman Pat Evans (Staten Island, NY/Xaverian) hit a three to make it a five-point game. Sanders dunked to respond, but Long hit a fastbreak three-pointer to make it 74-70. It became a game of free throws in the final minute, with Morrisville coming out on top.
Castillo finished with 25 points, six rebounds, four steals, two assists, and two blocks. Brown had 15 points, seven boards, four assists, and two steals. Long had 13 points and three steals, while LaClair had 12 and nine boards.
Sanders led all scorers with 26 points and eight rebounds. Jacob Works had nine points, while three Mustangs finished with eight points.
Oneonta finishes the regular season at New Paltz on Sat. Feb. 22 at 4 p.m.
