MEN’S BASKETBALL REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH WIN OVER PANTHERS

(Anquan McLean Jr. had 12 points on the night against Tompkins Cortland, doing most of his work around the rim).

(Tru Garland tied his season-high on Wednesday, totaling nine points against the Panthers at home). 

HERKIMER, NY – Watch four players score in double figures on Wednesday (11/18), the #5 Herkimer Generals men's basketball team came five point away from scoring 90 points for a fourth time in their first six games, defeating Tompkins Cortland at home 85-69.

Herkimer (6-0, 3-0) was played tough by Tompkins Cortland in the first 20 minutes of action. The Panthers actually led first and tied the game at 8-8 and 10-10 in the first nine minutes until a Chris Simmons (Utica, NY) steal and layup, Daniel Owens (Albany, NY) field goal, Tru Garland (Bronx, NY) layup and Anquan McLean Jr. (Albany, NY) pair of free throws built the lead to 25-18 in the span of just over two minutes. The Panthers didn't back down from the little run, keeping the deficit manageable going into halftime down by six (42-36).

The second half wasn't as pleasant to the Panthers, getting behind by double digits early after Kristian Mondesir (Queens, NY) made one of two free throws with 17:47 left in regulation. It reached 21 points (67-46) just seven minutes after that and remained there until around the three minute mark when Tompkins Cortland managed to dwindle the lead down to 78-63. The final two minutes saw Simmons, Shaitique Blatche (Syracuse, NY), David McKenzie (Central Islip, NY) and Matthew Dallas (Hudson, NY) go 7-for-10 with Tompkins Cortland fouling to stay in it, but it didn't help as the Generals won the game by 16 (85-69).

Herkimer will look to improve on their current six game win streak this Saturday (11/21) when they travel to play Corning. The Red Barons are 3-3 and sixth in the region, but have won three of their last four games. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.