CONTACT: Jeff Foley (518) 629-8085
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Sunday, November 11, 2001
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Hudson Valley Hits 14 Three-Pointers And Three Vikings score 15
En Route To 109-52 Non-Conference Win Against North Country
Troy, N.Y., November 10, 2001 - Midway through the first half, Hudson Valley Community College's Markael Brace (Albany H.S.) put on a brief long-range shooting clinic, nailing 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions against North Country Community College. The rest of the Vikings followed Brace's example - Hudson Valley hit a dozen 3-pointers in the first half alone, compared to 10 two-point field goals in the opening 20 minutes - and Hudson Valley rolled to a comfortable 109-52 victory against the Saints.
The game was Hudson Valley's first home contest of the season. Head coach Vince Medici's 6-year-old daughter Bailey kicked things off by singing the national anthem.
The Vikings are now 2-2 overall. North Country is 1-2 overall.
"Coach told us they were going to come in and play zone defense," said Brace, who finished with a team-high 15 points. Hudson Valley's Joe Walden (Albany H.S.) and Stephen Valente (La Salle Institute) also finished with 15 points each. "So we were just looking for open shots. I was open and my teammates were kicking the ball out."
Overall, the Vikings connected on 12 of 25 attempts from 3-point land in the first half. In addition to Brace's sharp-shooting,Joe Bell (Albany H.S.) also had a trio of 3-pointers in the first half.
"Boy, if we shoot like that, we'll be in games all year," said Medici with a grin. "When you play against a zone defense, those are the kind of shots you're going to get."
Paolo Walker (Columbia H.S.) had a different kind of impressive first half, scoring nine points, all from close to the basket, and pulling down seven rebounds, including six offensive boards. Walker finished with 12 points.
While Medici was pleased with his squad's offensive effort, he was happier with Hudson Valley's defensive performance.
"Our goal is to hold teams to 50 points," said Medici, whose Vikings recorded 12 steals. "We came pretty close to that today, so that's a good sign."
"It feels good to come out and play well in out first home game," Brace said. "We felt like we couldn't miss today."
HUDSON VALLEY 109, NORTH COUNTRY 52
Hudson Valley (109): Joe Bell 4-0-12, Bowe 2-0-5, Markael Brace 6-0-15, Drahoshuck 4-1-9, Lazzari 2-0-5, McAllister 1-0-3, McKinney 3-0-8, Joe Walden 6-3-15, Paolo Walker 4-4-12, Williams 0-4-4, Stephen Valente 6-1-15, Totals 41-14-109.
North Country (52): Jemel Newsome 8-2-20, Tate 1-0-3, Dorman 2-0-4, Mattison 2-1-5, Colonell 1-0-3, Chad Gray 5-5-19, Totals 19-8-52.
Halftime: Hudson Valley, 61-28.
3-point goals: Hudson Valley 14 (Bell 3, Brace 3, McKinney 2, Valente 2, Bowe 1, Lazzari 1, McAllister 1, Schneible 1). North Country 8 (Gray 4, Newsome 2, Tate 1, Colonell 1).