ONEONTA, N.Y. - Cortland outscored the Oneonta men's basketball team 38-24 in the first half en route to a 74-60 win in the Battle of the Red Dragons on Friday evening. Oneonta falls to 12-7 overall and 10-2 in the SUNYAC, while Cortland moves into first place at 14-4 overall and 10-1 in the conference.
"Tough loss. We fought hard, but unfortunately, we came up short," said head coach Cameron Conover. "On a positive note, it was great to have so many students there supporting. Hopefully, they will be back tomorrow. We have to get some rest and be ready to play tomorrow!"
Oneonta took a 13-7 lead at 12:18 in the first half following a three-pointer from junior Nicholas Cortez (Harlem, NY/Forest Hills). Cortland answered with a triple from Nolan Raymond, and a pair of Gaige Armbrewster free throws cut the lead to one. After a layup from sophomore Nate Cohen (Somers, NY/Somers) at 9:21 to take a 15-12 lead, Cortland used an 8-2 span to take the lead at 20-17. Senior Shea Barber (Wells Bridge, NY/Unatego) scored inside to bring the score within one, but three-pointers from Gavyn Pacheco and Kendall Arcuri gave Cortland a nine-point advantage.
Cortland pushed to a 13-point lead following a three from Isaiah Austin at 4:08. Oneonta cut the lead to ten points, but Cortland closed out the half on a 4-0 run to lead by 14 at the break.
Cortland opened the second half with baskets from Austin and Joel Davis to push the lead to 42-24. Sophomore Cam LaClair (Selkirk, NY/Bethlehem) drained a three-pointer at 17:46, but Cortland continued to hold a double-digit lead.
Oneonta used a 5-0 run with layups from Cohen and Cortez to make it 54-45, and a basket from senior Delano Knox (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) cut the lead to eight. Oneonta brought the score within single digits in the final two minutes, but Cortland converted seven free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.
Cortez led Oneonta with 20 points and six rebounds, while LaClair added nine points, five rebounds, and two steals. Sophomore Pat Evans (Staten Island, NY/Xaverian) had seven points with six boards and four assists.
Arcuri recorded a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Davis added 12 points and seven rebounds.
Oneonta looks to bounce back against Morrisville on Saturday, January 31 at 4 p.m.
