New York, NY - The City College men's basketball team lost to SUNY Cortland 78-77 in a close hard fought game at the Nat Holman Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
The Beavers came out strong in the first half and scored the first the six points of the contest. The team lead the Red Dragons as much as 12 points (12:20) after a three point bucket from
Robbie Dionisio. Dionisio would score 14 points in the first half to give the team a 40-35 lead at halftime.
The second half saw CCNY lead as much as 13-points, after a free throw made by
Sonny Kadisha. The Red Dragons would bring the game within 7-points (7:47) after a three pointer from Zach Lydon. CCNY would answer back with a three pointer of their own (7:25) from
Khalil Hamer to bring the lead to 10 (69-59).
Cortland would go on a 14 to 4 run to tie the game up at 73-73, after a pair of good free throw from Justin Copper with 3:28 left.
The Beavers would take the lead (75-73) by jumper from
Mark Richards with 2:51 left. Cortland would make two free throws at the 2:32 mark to tie the game again (75-75). Cortland would make 1 of 2 free throws to take a 76-75 lead with 1:13 left. With 46 seconds left in the game Hamer gave the Beavers a 77-76 lead on a good jump shot. Cortland would miss a three-pointer on their next possession. But after the defensive rebound, CCNY would turn the ball over on the fastbreak with 20 seconds left.
The Red Dragons would call a timeout with 10 seconds left, Cortland's Michael Kelly got the ball off the inbound and drove to the basket for the game winning layup.
CCNY had a last second buzzer beater chance but failed to make the shot. SUNY Cortland would win with a final score of 78-77.
In the game, three CCNY player's finished in double-figures.
Khalil Hamer led with 22 points (on 8-11 from the free throw line) 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.
Robbie Dionisio played well ending with 20 points and 4 steals.
Mark Richards finished with 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Sonny Kadisha came off the bench chipping in 7 points and 5 boards.
The City College Men's Basketball team is now 1-3 on the season. Their next game will be on the road in their first conference game against Lehman College on Tuesday, November 29th, at 5PM.
