Mighty Oaks Settle for Weekend Split

Watch replay of Five Towns game on ESFtv
Watch replay of Culinary Institute game on ESFtv

The ESF Mighty Oaks men's basketball team finished the weekend with a 1-1 record. Although they handily beat the Culinary Institute of America by an 80-41 score on Jan. 19, it was the previous game on Jan. 18 that got away from the Mighty Oaks against Five Towns College in an 80-74 defeat.

ESF dominated the first half and took an 11-point lead against Five Towns into the break at 41-30. Along the way in the first half, the Mighty Oaks built a lead as high as 15, but the Sound rebounded in the second half with a 16-0 run to take its first lead of the game at 54-52. ESF responded by climbing back to tie the game at 64 and came within one point in the final minute of retaking the lead at 75-74 before the Sound scored the final five points of the contest.

Four starters recorded double-digit performances with Zachary Dormer leading the way with 22 points. Logan Ameele added 21 points and Henry Pflaumer scored 11. Reid Patchett had a double-double with 14 points to go with 13 boards. Cole Paradies co-led the team in rebounds with 13 and added five points with three blocks.

The Mighty Oaks responded the next game by taking control from start to finish in a 39-point victory against the Culinary Institute of America. ESF registered four double-digit scorers with Ameele leading the way with 15 points. Not far behind with 14 points each was Dormer and Paradies, with the latter recording a team-high eight boards.

The ESF men's basketball team returns to action against conference-leading Berkeley Feb. 2. The Mighty Oaks will host Berkley at Onondaga Community College's Allyn Gymnasium with a noon tipoff.