2008 Woodie Awards
Cardinal cagers clinch top seed in SUNYAC tournament
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Sports
Originally published: 2/23/08 at 4:27 PM EST
Last update: 2/24/08 at 5:32 PM EST
After nearly squandering a 14-point lead, the Plattsburgh State Cardinals (22-2, 15-0 SUNYAC) clinched the No.1 seed for the 2007-08 State University of New York Athletic Conference Tournament that begins on Tuesday night.
The No. 11-ranked Cardinals slew the feisty Cortland Red Dragons (18-6, 11-4 SUNYAC) in Friday's 56-53 victory to sweep the season series.
With 19 seconds remaining, the Cards forced Cortland's junior-guard Carson Niehoff to a low-percentage leaning trey, which could have forced overtime, had Niehoff made it.
Prior to the game, PSUC Head Coach Tom Curle mentioned that fighting over screens and contesting Cortland's shooter would be necessary if the Cards wanted to knock off the SUNYAC's best three-point shooting team (.385 prior to the game). After a cold shooting performance, going 5-21 from downtown, the Red Dragons dropped to third in the conference for three-point shooting (.365).
The Cardinals capped off the second half with one of their patent runs, which gave them a 14-point advantage at the 16:18 mark. However, by the 2:14 mark with a 9-point lead, the Cards took their foot off the gas as the Red Dragon's capped off a rally of their own.
With a layup from sophomore-center Mike Lewis, followed by Niehoff's long-distance bomb, the Red Dragons cut the lead to four with 1:14 remaining. Following the trey, the free-throw shooting contest began as senior-forward Khylan Hunt stepped up to the charity stripe and converted two free-throws. After being fouled on his way to the basket, Niehoff hit two free-throws and after a Cardinals miss on the other end, he successfully drove to the basket for a layup to cut the deficit to two.
After PSUC senior-center Travis Gorham converted just one of the two free-throws after being sent to the line, Niehoff was fouled again. He hit both free-throws to bring his team within a point.
Senior-guard Antwane Miller was intentionally fouled and was sent to the line with the game potential in the balance. With a miss of either free-throw attempts, the Red Dragons could have had a potential game-winning possession. However, Miller hit both free-throws to give the Cards a three-point edge and ultimately the victory.
Cardinals' senior-guard Anthony Williams, who is conference's leading scorer with 24.1 points per game, was held to a season-low 14 points. His previous season low was 15 and against these same Red Dragons. Gorham finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds and a block.
The Red Dragons were led by Niehoff, who came off the bench to lead the one-man rally down the stretch, while finishing with a game-high 19 points. Niehoff went just 5 for 13 from the field but was perfect from the charity stripe to give his team a chance.
During Saturday's game against the SUNYIT Wildcats (7-17, 2-13 SUNYAC), the Cardinals will attempt to extend their winning streak to a conference-high 16. The Wildcats will look to play spoiler as they will attempt to avenge their previous 81-69 lost to the Cards and possibility prevent PSUC from ending the season with an undefeated conference record.
Compiled by Antonio Graves.
The No. 11-ranked Cardinals slew the feisty Cortland Red Dragons (18-6, 11-4 SUNYAC) in Friday's 56-53 victory to sweep the season series.
With 19 seconds remaining, the Cards forced Cortland's junior-guard Carson Niehoff to a low-percentage leaning trey, which could have forced overtime, had Niehoff made it.
Prior to the game, PSUC Head Coach Tom Curle mentioned that fighting over screens and contesting Cortland's shooter would be necessary if the Cards wanted to knock off the SUNYAC's best three-point shooting team (.385 prior to the game). After a cold shooting performance, going 5-21 from downtown, the Red Dragons dropped to third in the conference for three-point shooting (.365).
The Cardinals capped off the second half with one of their patent runs, which gave them a 14-point advantage at the 16:18 mark. However, by the 2:14 mark with a 9-point lead, the Cards took their foot off the gas as the Red Dragon's capped off a rally of their own.
With a layup from sophomore-center Mike Lewis, followed by Niehoff's long-distance bomb, the Red Dragons cut the lead to four with 1:14 remaining. Following the trey, the free-throw shooting contest began as senior-forward Khylan Hunt stepped up to the charity stripe and converted two free-throws. After being fouled on his way to the basket, Niehoff hit two free-throws and after a Cardinals miss on the other end, he successfully drove to the basket for a layup to cut the deficit to two.
After PSUC senior-center Travis Gorham converted just one of the two free-throws after being sent to the line, Niehoff was fouled again. He hit both free-throws to bring his team within a point.
Senior-guard Antwane Miller was intentionally fouled and was sent to the line with the game potential in the balance. With a miss of either free-throw attempts, the Red Dragons could have had a potential game-winning possession. However, Miller hit both free-throws to give the Cards a three-point edge and ultimately the victory.
Cardinals' senior-guard Anthony Williams, who is conference's leading scorer with 24.1 points per game, was held to a season-low 14 points. His previous season low was 15 and against these same Red Dragons. Gorham finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds and a block.
The Red Dragons were led by Niehoff, who came off the bench to lead the one-man rally down the stretch, while finishing with a game-high 19 points. Niehoff went just 5 for 13 from the field but was perfect from the charity stripe to give his team a chance.
During Saturday's game against the SUNYIT Wildcats (7-17, 2-13 SUNYAC), the Cardinals will attempt to extend their winning streak to a conference-high 16. The Wildcats will look to play spoiler as they will attempt to avenge their previous 81-69 lost to the Cards and possibility prevent PSUC from ending the season with an undefeated conference record.
Compiled by Antonio Graves.
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