ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Oneonta men's basketball game between the Red Dragons and the Mustangs was a tight, physical battle all the way through. In each half during regulation, both teams were separated by only one point. Oneonta went on to fall to Morrisville 79-77 in what was a tough, physical battle on Saturday afternoon. Oneonta falls to 12-8 overall, and 10-3 in the SUNYAC, while Morrisville improved to 7-12 overall and to an even 6-6 in the SUNYAC.

"Morrisville played really well, and they were the more physical team," said head coach Camaeron Conover. "We have to get back to work, make some corrections, and be ready for more tough games."

At the end of the first half, Oneonta trailed Morrisville 35-34. In the first half, Oneonta only shot 12-of-39 from the field and 3-of-14 from three. Morrisville had much more luck from the field, shooting 15-of-27, but not much luck from three, only shooting 2-of-9. Sophomore Cam LaClair (Selkirk, NY/Bethlehem) led the first half in scoring for the Red Dragons with nine points.

Kaelem Haskins made a layup for Morrisville at 1:58 to open the largest lead of the half at six points. Oneonta went on a 5-0 run to close out the half down by one, led by a three-pointer from junior Nicholas Cortez (Harlem, NY/Forest Hills), and a layup from sophomore Pat Evans (Staten Island, NY/Xaverian).

Oneonta went on a small 5-0 run to open the second half following a three-pointer by LaClair. From that point, the game remained close, and neither team made a significant run.

With 16 seconds remaining in regulation, Jaylin Moorehead hit a layup to give Morrisville a 73-70 lead over the Red Dragons. Oneonta brought it up to the floor, hit a game-tying three-pointer to tie the game at 73-73 at 00:08, and the game eventually went into overtime.

At 00:45 in overtime, Oneonta had a 76-75 lead over Morrisville, but at 00:26, Jacob Works hit a layup as he was fouled to eventually give Morrisville a 78-76 lead over the Red Dragons, capping a huge three-point play. Oneonta scored once more, but Morrisville excaped with the narrow win

LaClair and Cortez led Oneonta in scoring with 14 points each. LaClair also led Oneonta in rebounds with 12, giving him a 14-12 double-double. Jalyn Moorehead led Morrisville in scoring with 22 points.

Oneonta looks to bounce back against Fredonia on Friday, February 6, at 7:30 P.M.