CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, (518) 629-7898 or (518) 416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Tuesday, February 27, 2024

The Hudson Valley Community College men's basketball program secured its spot in the NJCAA Region 3 quarterfinal round after they defeated No. 9 Columbia-Greene 97-77 on Tuesday evening in the McDonough Sports Complex on the campus of HVCC.

In the first half, the Vikings jumped out of the starting gate quick with the two programs trading baskets through the first six-minutes of the game. Then, the Vikings went on a small 11-4 run to push its lead up to 19-12 with 11:57 remaining in the half.

For the next 10 minutes, the Vikings pulled away, scoring 30 more points during that span and they entered the halftime break leading the Twins 49-31. During the first half, the Vikings were led by Keyaton Parks, who secured another double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. James Blake II was shooting the ball well, hitting 5-of-13 from the floor, including a pair of three-pointers for a game-high 15 points in the half.

In the second half, the Vikings continued its strong play and maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the game and secured its spot at the NJCAA Region 3 quarterfinals this weekend in Herkimer, NY.

Leading the way for the Vikings was Blake, who finished the game with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. Parks was also one of four Vikings to finish with more than 10 points. Parks finished with 16 points on 8-of-10 from the floor with a game-high 14 rebounds. Brandon Gordon tallied 13 points on 5-of-14 from the floor and added five rebounds and two assists. Rowan Swan shot 50-percent from the floor, 5-of-10, and accumulated 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

With the win, the men's team advanced to the Region 3 championship weekend and will face top-seed and host, Herkimer at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 1 in Varsity Gymnasium on the campus of Herkimer College in Herkimer, NY.