CONTACT: Andre Cook 518-629-7367
For Release: Immediate, Friday, February 29, 2008
The Hudson Valley Men's Basketball team (30-0) started off the regional tourney with a hard fought 92-78 quarterfinal victory over Mountain Valley Conference rival Fulton-Montgomery (17-12). The game was played at Herkimer County Community College. It was the third time the Vikings beat the Raiders this season.
Unlike the first two meetings when the Vikings jumped out to early leads, this game was much different. At halftime the score was 47-40. The Vikings had three players score in double digits in the first half. Justin Gallo (Brunswick/Lansingburgh HS), Datwan Hemingway (Albany/CBA), and Derick Faragon (Rotterdam Junction/Schenectady HS) scored 11, 10, and 10 points, respectively.
Hudson Valley never trailed in the second half, but the lead was always in single digits until an 11-2 run in the second half pushed the lead to 70-56. FMCC fought hard but the Vikings move on to the semi-finals to play SUNY Cobleskill at 1 p.m., Saturday at Herkimer.
Faragon led Hudson Valley with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Hemingway recorded his 27th double-double of the season with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Gallo finished with 20 points. Emanuel Mayben (Troy/Troy HS) finished with 15 points and 13 assists.
Michael Mercedes (Amsterdam/Amsterdam HS) finished with a game high 26 points.
HUDSON VALLEY (92) FULTON-MONTGOMERY (78)
Hudson Valley (92) Justin-love Smith 6-1-13, Ryne Luce 3-0-9, Justin Gallo 7-2-20, Datwan Hemingway 4-5-13, Emanuel Mayben 3-9-15, Derick Faragon 11-0-22. Totals 34-17-92.
Fulton-Montgomery (78) Michael Mercedes 8-5-26, Carl Munnerlyn 6-1-14, Vernon Johnson 7-0-14, Roy Jenkins 6-0-13, Kimani Gibbs 1-0-2, Charlemagne Jean-Pierre 1-0-2, Lloyd Gray 2-2-6, Brandon Canty 0-1-1. Totals 32-9-78.
Three- point goals: Hudson Valley 7 (Luce 3, Gallo 4). Fulton -Montgomery 5 (Mercedes 3, Munnerlyn, Jenkins).
Halftime, 47-40 Hudson Valley.
