Panthers Hand ESF Second Straight Loss

The Mighty Oaks played a brilliant first half against Albany Pharmacy, but couldn't find the bottom of the basket in the second half, falling to their conference rivals 56-53.

Crisp ball movement and high percentage shots in the first half helped propel ESF to a 32-23 halftime lead over the Panthers. Freshman Zach Dormer had 10 points for ESF while the Mighty Oaks shot 50 percent from the field.

The second half was a different story. The Panther's opened the half on a 5-0 run while ESF committed a turnover and didn't score its first basket until more than four minutes into the half. Both teams traded baskets throughout most of the second half.

ESF took care of the ball throughout the game only committing nine turnovers, however the Mighty Oaks only made six field goals on six of 34 shooting in the second half which ultimately doomed ESF. With the game tied at 40 with seven minutes remaining, Panther's guard Naythan Beltran hit a three-pointer that put Albany ahead for good. ESF had a chance to tie up the game in the final second but junior David Loewen's three-pointer hit the front of the rim.

Dormer finished with 13 points. Senior center Tyler Kuhn had 10 points and eight rebounds. Alex Johnson had 19 points for the visiting Panthers.

ESF's record now stands at 4-12, 2-4 in conference play. The Mighty Oaks play Paul Smith's College, Feb. 4 at 3 p.m.