CONTACT: Steve Mullen (518) 629-8063
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, January 26, 2008
For 25 minutes the Hudson Valley Community College (21-0) men's basketball team looked as if its undefeated season could come to an end, but a 32-8 run over the final 15 minutes gave the Vikings a 78-52 win over Herkimer County Community College (17-3).
Herkimer, which is ranked No. 4 in the latest NJCAA Division III poll, held a 33-32 lead at halftime and trailed just 46-44 with 15 minutes remaining before the Vikings were able to pull away.
Sophomore guard Emanuel Mayben (Troy/Troy High School) nearly posted a triple-double in the contest for the Vikings. The point-guard finished with 15 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Justin Gallo (Brunswick/Lansingburgh High School) had 18 points and seven rebounds and sophomores Derick Faragon (Schenectady/Schenectady High School) and Ryne Luce (Cohoes/Cohoes High School) added 16 points apiece. Sophomore forward Datwan Hemingway (Albany/CBA) chipped in 10 points and nine boards.
Herkimer, which was held to just 19 points in the second half, got a team-high 15 points from Akeem Flagg (Utica/Proctor High School).
Hudson Valley, which is ranked No. 1 in the country among NJCAA Division III teams, returns to action at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29 when it hosts Adirondack Community College.
HUDSON VALLEY 78, HERKIMER 52
Hekimer (52): Kevin Kucel 2-0-5, Marques Damon 5-3-13, Robby Marshall 4-2-10, Akeem Flagg 6-2-15, Will Jenkins 3-2-9, Totals: 20-9-52.
Hudson Valley (78): Just-IN'Love Smith 1-0-2, Ryne Luce 5-2-16, Justin Gallo 6-4-18, Datwan Hemingway 4-2-10, Emanuel Mayben 4-4-15, Derick Faragon 7-2-16, Len Coons 0-1-1, Totals: 27-15-78.
Three-point goals: Herkimer 3 (Kucel, Flagg, Jenkins); Hudson Valley 9 (Luce 4, Gallo 2, Mayben 3).
Halftime: Herkimer led 33-32.
