SUNY Broome men's basketball team hosted Tompkins Cortland

The men’s basketball team hosted Tompkins Cortland on Sunday and made a game-winning layup with two seconds left to pull off the 75-74 upset.

The Panthers of Tompkins Cortland asserted themselves throughout the first half and owned a 46-34 lead at halftime.

Early in the second half, the Panthers’ lead grew to 20 points as an and-one in transition brought the score to 54-34. Following the 8-0 run by Tompkins Cortland to open the half, SUNY Broome started its comeback attempt. Chipping away at the deficit little by little, the Hornets managed to cut the Panther lead to 60-51 with 10:57 left in the contest. The Hornets cut the lead to eight points, and then after some answers by the Panthers, SUNY Broome moved within 10 as it was a 70-60 game with six minutes to go. Amauri Truax brought the Hornets within five with two minutes to play.

SUNY Broome cut the deficit to 74-71 with 44.5 seconds to go and the Panthers in possession of the ball. After forcing a stop, the Hornets had the ball down by three with 14 seconds left. Truax went to the line and made both free-throws to make the score 74-73 with 8.9 seconds remaining on the clock. A quick foul by the Hornets sent star guard Javonte Long to the line for the Panthers. Following a missed free-throw, Truax led the Hornet scramble down the court and found a wide-open Antonio Maria cutting to the basket for a go-ahead layup with two seconds left. With SUNY Broome up 75-74, the ensuing inbound pass by the Panthers from their baseline to half court was broken up, and the Hornets secured the come-from-behind win.

Connor Green was Broome’s leading scorer with 17 points and seven rebounds. Maria had 16 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and the game-winning bucket. Truax had 15 points, six assists (including the game-winning assist), four rebounds, and a steal. Antuan Darden added 14 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.

After a 2-0 weekend against conference foes, the Hornets sit at 4-7 overall and 3-1 in Mid-State Athletic Conference play. The team will visit another MSAC opponent in Finger Lakes CC on Wednesday.

Submitted by: Logan Brown

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