Oneonta controlled the tempo early and jumped out to a 15-6 lead over the course of the first ten minutes behind the guidance of senior classmates Jaysen Murphy (East Elmhurst/Robert Wagner) and Eric Bratt (Roslyn/Roslyn). Murphy and Bratt combined for nine of the Dragons first 15 points.
Junior forward Dennis Munch (West Babylon/West Babylon) sparked the Pioneers offense early, knocking down an open three from the corner after Doug Herring attracted two defenders with dribble penetration and dished it to Munch. Munch knocked down two free-throws on UC’s next possession to pull the Pioneers to within four points with 9:51 remaining in the first half.
Both teams exchanged blows over the next nine minutes and the Dragons took a 29-27 lead into the first half.
Freshman forward Pat Goodman (Whitesboro/Marcy) got the Pioneers off to a great start in the second half banging home one of his two 3-pointers on the evening to give UC a one point lead.
The Pioneers overpowered the Dragons in the second half as the story unfolded at the free-throw line. The Pioneers went 18-21 from the charity stripe in the second half, including Lighthall’s perfect 6-for-6.
UC was able to keep a consistent five point lead throughout the second half until the Dragon’s Bobby Fisk (Coeymans/Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons) scored four of his nine points within a thirty second span and Oneonta cut the lead to 53-52 with 7:46 left.
UC’s Herring shot just 5-for-15 from the floor on the evening but hit the big shots when he needed to, including a 15-footer off the dribble with 1:10 left to give UC a 63-58 lead. Herring put the game away with two free-throws and UC had a 65-58 lead with 42 second remaining.
Chris Bitetto (Island Trees/Levittown) scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds for UC, while Brian Collier (Norwich/Norwich) played another consistent all around game scoring seven and dishing out five assists.
Four Players scored in double figures for the Dragons including Murphy (10), Fisk (11), Kevin Reed (Downsville/Downsville) (11), and Michael Reardon (Staten island/Monsigor Farell), who posted a team-high 12 points.
UC (8-2, 1-0 Empire 8) returns to action Friday against host Elmira College at 8 p.m., while Oneonta takes on Plattsburgh St. in SUNYAC action at 8 p.m.
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