By: by Matt Palisin, Asst. SID
BOXSCORE
BOX SCORE
OSWEGO, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State men's basketball team used another strong defensive effort in downing Wells College, 52-44, in the first day of the Max Ziel Tip Off Tournament at Oswego.
The Devils(2-0) took the lead for good two-and-a-half minutes into the game, but never led by more than 10 points. The Devils led 24-20 at the half.
Wells would open the second half scoring first to pull within two, 24-22. They would pull within two points two more times, at 29-27 and 33-31, with 11 minutes left in regulation.
The Devils then scored the next seven points to take control. Senior
Dalton Kashmer converted a pair of layups and
Damien Goodwin II nailed a three pointer to make it 40-31 with nine minutes left to play.
The Devils biggest lead came at the 2:10 mark following a steal and layup by senior
Leonard Smith to give the Devils a 47-37 lead.
With a minute left and the Devils leading 47-41, Wells went into hack-a-Devil mode.
Jonathan Herrera nailed a pair of free throws. Wells' Erich Kaemphe then nailed a three to make it 49-44. Smith then went to the line and nailed the first free throw, then grabbed his own rebound after missing the second.
Hererra went back to the line and iced the game as he converted his final two free throws.
The Devils held Wells to 25 percent (7-28) shooting from the field in the first half, and 40 percent for the game. The Devils shot 35 percent in the first half, but caught fire late in the game, shooting 50 percent in the second.
Smith led the Devils with 12 points, and Herrera finished with nine. Goodwin provided a spark off the bench with eight points and a team-high 6 rebounds.
Wells (0-2) was led by Maybior Mayen with 15 points and 13 rebounds..
The Devils take on Ithaca College on Saturday at 2 p.m.
