Farmingdale State - 68, New Paltz - 61
New Paltz, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State men's basketball team trailed 53-40 and outscored SUNY New Paltz, 28-8, in the final 12 minutes to earn a 68-61 come-from-behind victory on Wednesday evening. The Rams improved to 2-1 overall, while the Hawks fell to 0-1.
New Paltz led 3-2 in the opening minute and scored 10 unanswered points, including eight from junior forward Isaiah Bien-Aise (Westbury, N.Y.), to go in front, 13-2.
The Rams trailed 30-15 with six minutes remaining in the first half and outscored the Hawks, 14-7, as they entered the break down by eight, 37-29.
New Paltz held a six point advantage, 45-39, and used two layups and a 3-pointer from Solomon Neuhaus (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) to take a 52-39 lead with 14 minutes on the clock.
After trading a free throw each, Farmingdale State freshman guard Kobe Thomas (Hicksville, N.Y.) and sophomore guard Corey Powell (Valley Stream, N.Y.) tallied three points apiece to close within seven at 53-46.
The Rams cut their deficit to five, 55-50, before sophomore forward Tre Riggins (Baldwin, N.Y.) hit a 3-pointer and followed with a dunk to knot the score at 55-55.
With the game still tied, 59-59, with three minutes left, Hawks' sophomore guard Rylan Blondo (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was fouled and hit both free-throws to go ahead by two.
Powell responded with two free-throws just 19 seconds later to tie the score at 61-61.
After a missed layup by New Paltz, FSC senior forward Dominique Senat (Elmont, N.Y.) converted a three-point play to put the Rams ahead, 64-61, with 1:51 remaining.
Farmingdale State would force two misses and a turnover in the Hawks next three possessions before being fouled with 22 seconds left.
Sophomore guard Aaron Davis (Valley Stream, N.Y.) and Senat closed the game with four straight free-throws as the Rams went on for the 68-61 non-conference victory.
FSC closed the game on a 9-0 run and finished 19-for-22 (86.4%) from the free-throw line.
Senat led the way for Farmingdale State with a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds. Riggins tallied 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block, while Davis recorded 10 points and two assists. Powell notched nine points and three steals and freshman guard Jevon Santos (Elmont, N.Y.) added two points and a game-high five assists in the win.
Neuhaus registered a team-high 15 points for New Paltz.
The Rams next will travel to Madison, N.J. for the Drew University Tip-Off Tournament on Friday, November 19th and Saturday, November 20th. Drew will host Saint Elizabeth on Friday at 6:00 p.m., while the Rams will play Baruch at 8:00 p.m. The Consolation and Championship games will be played on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., respectively.
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