CONTACT: Steve Mullen (518) 629-8063
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, February 7, 2004
Sophomore Gerald Strong (Rochester/East High School) hit a three-pointer from the baseline with two second remaining in the game to lift Tompkins Cortland Community College (10-10) to a 90-88 win over Hudson Valley Community College (11-11/11-10 Region III) earlier today in Troy.
Hudson Valley came back from double-digit deficits twice in the contest. The Vikings trailed 70-60 with 8:52 remaining in the contest, but a 20-8 run gave Hudson Valley an 80-78 lead with 3:45 left.
The lead changed hands six times over the final three minutes. Sophomore forward Bob Boughton (Glenmont/Bethlehem High School) hit a layup with nine seconds remaining to give Hudson Valley an 88-87 lead with nine seconds left. However, the Panthers were able to find Strong in the corner for the game-winning bucket.
Strong finished with 29 points to lead Tompkins Cortland. Sophomore Randall Thomas (Bronx/Ryan Academy) added 26 points.
Sophomore forward Bill Heslin (Schaghticoke/Hoosic Valley High School) had 22 points and 14 rebounds to pace Hudson Valley. Boughton and freshman guard Aric Kucel (Gloversville/Gloversville High School) added 16 points apiece.
Hudson Valley trailed by 21 points, 28-7, with 9:52 remaining in the first half, but scored 35 points over the final nine minutes to take a 42-39 lead into the break.
The Vikings will host Schenectady Community College at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10.
TOMPKINS CORTLAND 90, HUDSON VALLEY 88
Tompkins Cortland (90): Chris Fox 1-0-2, Nate Cambridge 7-0-16, Ross Sandlas 1-0-3, Dexter McGrowder 4-2-10, Drew Taylor 2-0-4, Gerald Strong 11-5-29, Randall Thomas 11-4-26, Totals: 37-11-90.
Hudson Valley (88): Bob Boughton 6-4-16, Brendon Bradt 1-3-5, Antwan Gibson 5-0-12, Bill Heslin 9-3-22, Tony King 3-2-11, Aric Kucel 6-0-16, Larry Tape 3-0-6, Totals: 33-12-88.
Halftime: Hudson Valley, 42-39.
3-point goals: Tompkins Cortland 5 (Strong 2, Sandlas, Cambridge 2); Hudson Valley 10 (Kucel 4, King 3, Gibson 2, Heslin).
