WATERTOWN – FM seemed to be outplaying Jefferson CC in their Sunday afternoon showdown at Jefferson's McVean Center. The Raiders had a 10-point lead with just 1:19 to play. The Cannoneers then attacked with everything in their arsenal and tied the game, sending it into overtime. Finally the visitors prevailed, with FM earning a 90-86 victory.
Fans were expecting a good game, and it was just that. FM was in control of the early going, but the home team came back to trail by just two points at halftime.
Photo: Khaleeq Baum puts FM ahead 20-26
Kadeem Stanislas opened the game by driving the lane for two, then sank a long two and added a free throw. Bryant Jack added a pair of twos. Khaleeq Baum sank two FTs, and FM led 11-2.
The Cannoneers then got their offense in gear while finding ways to halt the Raiders' attack. Soon after the clock passed the midpoint of the opening half, Jefferson trailed 16-13.
The game was tied 27-all with three minutes left in the opening 20. Marquis Edwards sank his second shot of the day from beyond the arc, and FM led by three. Carlos Rivera scored from in close, and Edwards scored from the free throw line, but two big three-pointers by the home team tied the game again. Dondre Simmons scored with an eight-foot jumper, and the half ended with FM leading 35-33.
Photo: Marquis Edwards sinks a three
Jefferson scored eight of the first 10 points of the second half and led 41-37. Darius Ward drained a three from the left corner, and Kevin Scott nailed a three. FM was ahead by two.
The Raiders improved their lead as the game played on. Stanislas added a free throw, and FM was up 70-58 with 1:59 left in regulation. But the Cannoneers were ready for a final surge.
Much to the Raiders' dismay, FM saw a substantial lead evaporate in the closing minutes for the second time in just six games. Ward's two free throws made it 72-66 with 1:01 left. Bryant Jack, who had been a force in the paint, fouled out. A three-point play brought Jefferson to 73-71 with 26.6 seconds on the clock. Rivera sank an FT, but with just 1.5 seconds left, Jefferson's Jagger Freeman stepped up to the foul line and sank two shots. The score was 74-74, and the game was headed into overtime.
Head Coach Ed Collar laid out a plan of attack. Ward sank two FTs and Rivera added one. Simmons scored a key field goal, and FM led 79-74. Rivera scored again, but Jefferson was fighting back. 81-80 FM.
Simmons sank two free throws. Ward tallied a huge three-point play. Jefferson sank a three and a free throw. 88-86 FM, with 20.3 seconds to play. Tyrone Davis and Ward then sank FTs to assure the win. The final score was 90-86.
The Raiders will not play again until after Thanksgiving. They will host Schenectady CCC on Tuesday, December 3, with a 7:00 p.m. scheduled start.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
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Scoring:
FM: Simmons 9, Scott 5, Jack 8, Rivera 8, Burnett 1, Ward 21, Edwards 12, Stanislas 11, Baum 15; Total 90
Jefferson: Williams 4, Tomlin 5, Green 3, Jackson 4, Freeman 28, Pond 15, Widrick 12, Thomas 9, Johnson 6; Total 86
Records: FM 3-3, Jefferson 3-4
Photo: Bryant Jack puts FM ahead 27-24 - other Raiders, from left: Jerrell Burnett, Kadeem Stanislas, Marquis Edwards
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