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Men's Hoops Team Goes 1-1
The Mighty Oaks men's basketball team completed its first week of the season with a 1-1 record.
In the first game, ESF faced Central Penn College, the 2016 USCAA National Champion runner-ups. The Knights game out hot, taking an early 26-14 lead over the Mighty Oaks. The Mighty Oaks responded, led by junior Cory Rogers' eight points and a strong team defensive effort, and stormed back to take a 39-37 lead at half time.
In the second half, both teams came out sluggish on offense, changing the momentum of the game into a defensive battle. Seniors Ryan Caldwell and Jared Bard led the Mighty Oaks on the offensive end in the second half. With a minute to play and the score tied at 71, both squads were unable to convert any baskets on their possessions. A half court heave in the final seconds by senior Dan Treadwell fell short, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, the teams traded baskets at the start but a few miscued plays by ESF on the offensive end led to free throws for Central Penn, sealing the victory 87-79.
ESF was led by Caldwell's 21 points and seven rebounds. Bard added 20 points. Freshman center Ben Russ IV put in nine points and had two blocks. Central Penn was led by senior Tyrie Orosco's 29 points off 11-16 shooting and 10 rebounds.
In the second game, ESF matched up against Paul Smith's College. The game began with the teams exchanging baskets. With the score 22-19 in Paul Smith's favor, the Bobcats began to pull away with strong outside shooting, ballooning their led to 40-27 toward the end of the first half. A basket by Treadwell in the closing seconds, helped close the gap, 41-33, at the half. Caldwell led all scorers at half time with 20 points.
ESF heated up offensively at the start of the second half making a 26-12 run and taking a six-point lead, 59-53. The Bobcats fought back with a few crucial three-pointers. With just under four minutes to play and the score tied at 69 apiece, Bobcats freshman Kenny Smith hit a pair of three-pointers to give Paul Smith's a 75-69 advantage. Caldwell and Bard helped lead the charge to tie the game back up only to face another Bobcats rally and now a 80-75 deficit. The Mighty Oaks turned up the defense, holding the Bobcats scoreless for the last 1:42 seconds of regulation time. Clutch free throws by Treadwell and Caldwell helped the Mighty Oaks even up the score and send the game into overtime.
A three-pointer by Treadwell and baskets by Caldwell helped ESF pull ahead 88-85 in overtime. An inadvertent intentional foul by junior Tyler Kuhn gave the Bobcats one last glimpse of hope but their efforts fell short as ESF came away with an exciting 88-87 win.
Caldwell had a monster game for ESF, scoring 36 points, a new school record, along with providing 17 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals. Caldwell's efforts this week earned him HVIAC Player of the Week honors. Treadwell and Bard both contributed 12 points. Sophomore guard David Lowen came off the bench to chip in eight points. Paul Smith's College was led by sophomore Rich Duvivier's 18 points. Freshman Adam Seguin pulled down 11 rebounds for the Bobcats.
A loss to SUNY Broome on Nov. 5 gives ESF a 1-2 record early in the season. The Mighty Oaks travel to Scranton, Pennsylvania, for the Penn State Worthington Tip-off Tournament Nov. 18-19. ESF will face Williamson College in the first game of the tournament.