FREDONIA, N.Y. – The Fredonia men's basketball team pulled within one point in the final seconds, but were unable to get over the hump for its first SUNYAC win of the season in a 66-63 loss to Oneonta.
 
Kyree Hull (Peekskill, N.Y. / Peekskill) led the Devils with 16 points. Robert Lyles (Peekskill, N.Y. / Peekskill) and Ian Helps (Bronx, N.Y. / Greater New York Academy) added 12 apiece. Justin Tapper (White Plains, N.Y. / White Plains) had 10 points.
 
Fredonia (1-13, 0-10 SUNYAC) led for much of the first half. With the Devils up 24-21 following a Luke Hennessy (Olean, N.Y. / Olean) three pointer, the Red Dragons ran off eight straight to close out the half and scored the first three points of the second half for an 11-0 run to take a 32-24 lead.
 
Following a layup by Fredonia's Hull, Oneonta ran off eight more points to take what would prove to be the biggest lead of the game, 40-26.
 
Midway through the second half, Fredonia would battle back to within five points on a three pointer by Hull at the 9:41 mark, making it 55-50.
 
With 2:48 left and Oneonta holding a nine-point, 64-55 lead, Fredonia made a late run scoring eight-straight points, pulling within one in the closing seconds.
 
Down five and just inside the final minute, Tapper scored on a fast break inititiated by a missed jumper by Oneonta. On the ensuing possession, Fredonia got a quick steal, and Helps followed with a thunderous fast-break dunk to make it a one point game, 64-63.
 
With 16.1 seconds left to play, Fredonia fouled Zach Mager and sent him to the line for a one-and-one. Mager sank both attempts for a three point lead.
 
As Fredonia set up the offense for one last shot, the Red Dragons tied up the ball for a jump ball and Fredonia retained possession with 4.1 seconds left to play. Lyles took the inbound pass, dribbled to his right, gave a shot fake and had a good look at a three from the top of the key, but his attempt went off the rim as time expired.
 
Oneonta (7-8, 4-4) was led by Mager with 13 points and Frankie Kelly with 11.
 
The Devils travel to Medaille on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff.