Seniors Lead ESF Over Davis College
Before the start of the season's final basketball game, ESF bid farewell to seniors Couri Leuschner (Carmel, N.Y., natural resources management), Matt Kowalski (Depew, N.Y., construction management), Danny MacElrath (Milton, N.Y., environmental resources engineering) and Suthod Young (Moosup, Conn., construction management). Those seniors then came up big as the Mighty Oaks defeated the Davis College Falcons 83-78 at Allyn Hall on the Onondaga Community College campus.
The first half was close, with both team exchanging baskets in the early minutes. Midway through the first half, ESF opened up a 30-22 lead over the Falcons. The Falcons responded with a 15-1 run to end the first half. A free throw and three-pointer by Young at the end of the half brought ESF within two, 35-37. Young led all ESF scorers in the first half with 10 points.
Young continued his strong play at the start of the second half as the Mighty Oaks recaptured the lead just 90 seconds into the half. The two teams continued to exchange leads throughout the second half. With 2:42 to play, Davis College held a 72-69 advantage. A three-point play by sophomore Ryan Caldwell tied the score. Davis College responded with a three-pointer on its next possession to go up 75-72 with two minutes left to play.
Junior Sage Beemer answered with a basket and a free throw to tie the game 75-75. Young scored on the next Mighty Oaks possession to give ESF a 77-75 lead with 1:27 to play. The Mighty Oaks defense was able to stop the Falcons on its next two possessions and key free throws by MacElrath and sophomore Dan Treadwell extended ESF's lead to 81-75 with 26 seconds to play. On the ensuing possession, the Falcons knocked down a three-pointer to cut the ESF lead to four, 82-78. A free throw by Young and a last-second steal by Kowalski sealed the win for the Mighty Oaks, 83-78. The game marked ESF's first win over a ranked USCAA opponent and its first win ever over Davis College, which will also be joining ESF in the HVIAC conference at the start of the 2015-16 season.
Young finished the game with double-double 24 points and 12 rebounds. MacElrath added 18 points. Kowalski finished the game with two points, three assists and a crucial steal to win the game. Caldwell and Beemer also chipped in 10 points apiece.
The Mighty Oaks finish the season on the road versus SUNY Canton Feb. 18.
