CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Thursday, January 13, 2022
The Hudson Valley Community College men's basketball snapped a nine-year, 17-game losing streak against Mohawk Valley Community College on Thursday night as they Hawks 85-80, Thursday evening in the McDonough Sports Complex on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.
The last time the Vikings defeated Mohawk Valley was during the Obama administration when Hudson Valley earned a 74-66 win over the Hawks on February 2, 2013. Hudson Valley finished the 2012-13 season with a 20-12 record.
In the opening half the Vikings and Hawks traded baskets for the entire 20 minutes with Mohawk Valley taking a 42-39 advantage into the break. Luke Bourgault posted a game-high 12 points in 17 minutes of first half action. Jourdan Belcher handled the paint, shooting 4-of-7 from the floor for nine points and six rebounds.
In the second half, the Vikings came out shooting at a high clip and added key defensive stops on the Hawks to remain in striking distance of the rival Hawks. Heading into the final nine minutes of the game, the Vikings and Hawks were tied at 62-62.
As the game inched closer to the end, the Vikings kept the pressure on the Hawks, eventually pulling away with clutch baskets and key defensive stops, including a game saving rebound by Josh Kiefer as Mohawk Valley attempted to regain the lead late, to claim its first win over Mohawk Valley in nine years (1-17 record).
Belcher built upon his big first half as he finished the game with a team-best 23 points and added nine rebounds. Bourgault finished the game with 18 points, six rebounds, five assist and two steals in an heroic 37-minutes of game action.
Eriks Veidemanis excelled in the second half as well and was a key player in the late game success of the the Vikings upset win. Veidemanis finished with 18 points and five rebounds, including 2-of-2 from behind the arc. Eriks hit a timely three-point shot to put the Vikings up one late, which the Vikings never relinquished.
Willem Feeny posted 22 minutes off the bench for Hudson Valley and he finished with seven points, including nine important defensive rebounds. Aristide Gateretse posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
The men return back to the court on Wednesday, January 19 when they welcome Ulster to the McDonough Sports Complex on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College for a scheduled 7 p.m. tip.