Mighty Oaks Top Albany Pharmacy

The Mighty Oaks men's basketball team got a much-needed win, 77-64, over the Panthers of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Dec. 6.

Right from the opening tip, the Mighty Oaks controlled the game, jumping out to a 13-4 lead in the early minutes and never trailing during the contest. Leading the charge early was senior Daryl Harper, who chipped in five quick points. Harper was playing in his last home game for ESF.

Using a formidable full-court press, the Mighty Oaks forced the Panthers into several early turnovers which helped propel the Oaks to a strong first half of play, entering the half up 44-25. Sophomore Dan Treadwell led ESF with 8 points.

At the start of the second half, the Panthers challenged the Mighty Oaks, applying a full-court press of their own and cutting the ESF lead to 10 points but that was as close as Albany was able to get - another run by ESF, led by an emphatic put-back slam by freshman center Tyler Kuhn of Oneida, put the Mighty Oaks ahead 58-42. The Mighty Oaks never looked back, going up by as many as 19 and eventually winning the game 77-64.

"We played very well today, our defensive pressure was strong which led to some good transition opportunities. This was a good win for the team... we've gotten better during the stretch of NCAA opponents we've faced and it showed today.  We're starting to learn about the type of effort and focus it takes to be successful at this level.  We look to build on this heading into a good opponent on the road next week at Alfred State." said head coach Scott Blair.

ESF had a well-balanced scoring attack led by Senior Danny MacElrath's 11 points. Treadwell, Kuhn, Sophomore Ryan Caldwell and Junior Sage Beemer all finished with ten points a piece.  Beemer also led the team with 13 rebounds for his first double-double of the year.  Senior Suthod Young pulled down 7 rebounds along with eleven points.

With the win, the Mighty Oaks improve to 2-8. Their next game is on the road versus Alfred State on Dec. 14.