CCC Men’s Basketball Holds on For Win Against FLCC

Cayuga Community College Men’s Basketball earned their first win of the season Wednesday in a physical home contest with Finger Lakes Community College.

The Spartans used a first-half run to build an early lead but had to hold on late for the 69-67 win when the Lakers missed a pair of free throws in the final seconds. Cayuga is now 1-3 on the season, and 1-2 in Region III and Mid-State Athletic Conference play.

“We battled all game and ended up getting the win,” said Cayuga Coach Tony Borges. “We have to work on some things — free throws, cutting down on turnovers. But getting the win and learning how to play with a lead was a good experience.”

The Spartans trailed by single digits early in the first half, but a layup by guard Omari Anderson started a 12-0 Cayuga run to put them up 27-17. Wylik Coleman and forward Tony Borges combined for 19 points in the first half, and the Spartans held a 35-29 lead at the break.

Finger Lakes increased their defensive pressure in the second half with a full-court press and took a 56-55 lead with less than eight minutes to play. After the teams traded the lead for several minutes, a Borges’ jumper gave Cayuga a 65-64 lead with four minutes to play.

Cayuga led by two after a layup by Rian Hall, but a Spartans’ foul put the Lakers at the free-throw line with four seconds left. The Lakers’ missed both free throws and didn’t get a shot off as time expired.

Borges led Cayuga with 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Coleman had 19 points. Hall had 15 points and nine rebounds, and Amaree Samuel had eight rebounds and three steals.

The Spartans are home for both games this weekend. They host Herkimer College on Saturday, November 16, and then host Mohawk Valley Community College on Sunday. Both games tipoff at 1 p.m.