Conference record improves to 7-0 with Saint win

(Daniel Owens led the Generals with 21 points, and connected on four three-point field goals).

(Shomari Redd helped Herkimer sink 12 three pointers against the Saints on Wednesday).

HERKIMER, NY – Remaining undefeated at home on Wednesday (1/20) despite a solid shooting performance for their opponent, the #8 Herkimer Generals men's basketball team defeated North Country 97-87 in regulation, increasing their current win streak to four games.

North Country came out and shot well from deep which helped them hold an early 19-11 lead with 12:44 left in the first half. Herkimer (13-3, 7-0) didn't start cutting away at that lead until Daniel Owens (Albany, NY), Patrick Dorrain (Kingston, NY) and Tyquan Scott (Long Beach, NY) sank three pointers on five of six possession, making it 29-26 with 7:43 left. Owens finished with 21, Dorrian finished with 18 and Scott finished with 12.

The game saw its first tie shortly after at 31-31, then watched Herkimer end the half on a 11-to-5 run in the final six minutes, getting baskets from Tru Garland (Bronx, NY), Dorrian, Scott, Owens, Christopher Simmons (Utica, NY) and Anquan McLean Jr. (Albany, NY). It helped the Generals lead the Saints 42-36.

The second half saw Herkimer build on the momentum they got in the final minutes of the first half, getting to the foul line four times in the first three minutes. Timothy McKenzie (Central Islip, NY) set the tone with two 'and one' calls, then Shomari Redd (Westbury, NY) put the Saint deficit at 10 points (56-46) with 15 minutes remaining in regulation after he got to the rim for two of his 13 points.

The lead stayed around 10 points until the final two minutes when North Country started to foul intentionally. Herkimer sank 13-of-16 to keep the Saints at bay, also collecting their seventh conference win of the season in the process.

They'll face another conference opponent this Saturday (1/23) when they travel to Troy, NY. Hudson Valley is 11-6 and 4-2 in their last six, losing consecutive games to Mohawk Valley and Fulton-Montgomery. Tipoff between these two is scheduled for 3 p.m.   

Score:

#8 Herkimer Generals 97, North Country Saints 87

Halftime:

Herkimer 42-36

GENERALS (13-3, 7-0) Daniel Owens 21, Patrick Dorrian 18, Shomari Redd 13, Tyquan Scott 12, Timothy McKenzie 9, Anquan McLean Jr. 6, Chris Simmons 5, Kristian Mondesir 4, Tru Garland 4, Matt Dallas 3, Todd Spottswood 2. Totals: 30-25-97

SAINTS (11-6) Brian Donaire 20, Peyton McLaurin 18, Frane Larose 15, Stephen Paulk 9, Noah Guitymoore 7, Tyquan Pointer 7, Jaquan McGill 6, Malik Green 3, Grant Webb 2. Totals: 32-10-87

3-Point Goals: Saints 12 (Donaire 4, McLaurin 3, McGill 2, Guitymoore 1, Larose 1, Pointer 1), Generals 12 (Owens 4, Dorrian 3, Redd 2, Scott 2, Dallas 1)  

Next Game: 1/23 at Hudson Valley 3 p.m.

-Giorgio Varlaro