By: By RICKY WEBSTER
BOXSCORE
FREDONIA, N.Y.-- The Fredonia State Blue Devils and Cortland Red Dragons provided some dramatics in Steele Hall on Saturday before the Devils prevailed in double overtime, 78-73.
Fredonia State improved to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the SUNYAC. Cortland has now dropped its fourth consecutive game to fall 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the SUNYAC
After scoring only 48 total points in a Friday night loss to Oswego State, the Blue Devils jumped out to an 18-0 lead and led 41-16 at halftime Saturday. They held the Red Dragons scoreless over the first 7:58.
The Devils' defense held the Red Dragons to just 28 percent shooting in the first half, and only 16.7 percent from behind the arc.
Damien Goodwin II was a key contributor for the Devils' big start, and their eventual finish. Goodwin connected on all three of his three-point attempts in the first half. He also hauled in six rebounds in the half.
The Devils had no trouble scoring from anywhere on the court and shot 61.5 percent in the half.
Leonard Smith dished out five assists in the first half, often finding
Branden McKenney and
Curtis Fluker in the paint, along with Goodwin on the perimeter.
The second half proved to be a different story for both teams. The Red Dragons put together two separate 19-5 runs throughout the second half. The latter began with just under 10 minutes remaining.
With 1:45 to play,
Joseph Monahan received an intentional foul, and Cortland's Dustin Marshall picked up a technical foul. Marshall sunk both of his free throws while Monahan connected only one, to leave the Devils ahead 61-59.A Cortland lay-up and two free throws gave Cortland their first lead of the game with 21 seconds remaining.
After a scramble for a loose-ball on Fredonia's offensive end, McKenney provided the heroics, hitting a lay-up with 3.7 seconds to play. The Devils got a chance for victory when Fluker tipped the ensuing Cortland inbound pass, then dished to
Jonathan Herrera whose buzzer-beating three-point attempt danced around the rim before falling out.
The teams headed into the overtime period, where they battled for control. Goodwin's play proved to be critical in overtime. He scored four points and grabbed three rebounds in the extra session. The Devils led 70-66 before the Dragons hit a lay-up and two free-throws to even the score once again.
Jeremy Smith missed an open-look at three-point shot with two seconds remaining in the first overtime, and the teams found themselves heading to a second overtime.
Leonard Smith opened up the second overtime with a steal and a fast-break lay-up for the Devils. With :10 seconds remaining, Goodwin came up big again, grabbing two defensive rebounds, and sinking four free throws.
Goodwin finished his career night with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Leonard Smith filled the stat sheet with seven rebounds, seven points, six assists, and two steals. Monahan added 15 points.
Jeremy Smith led the Red Dragons with 19 points, playing a team high 45 minutes. Jesse Winter scored 18 points, and Kevin McMahon added 17.
The Blue Devils close out the first half of their season with a home game against Houghton College on Dec. 9.
