JOHNSTOWN – The scrappy SUNY Adirondack Timberwolves charged into the Raiders Den on Saturday afternoon and built a 13-point lead. But the Raiders fought back and tied the contest at 66-66 midway through the second half. The visitors, however, played a determined end game and sent the Raiders to a 94-84 defeat.

The Raiders had won three of their last five games. As Saturday's game got under way, and the teams were playing on even terms. Adirondack scored first, but Kadeem Stanislas answered. The Wolves scored, but Carlos Rivera's 16-foot jumper kept things tied.

Photo:  Dondre Simmons drives to the hoop

The visitors went ahead 13-10. Khaleeq Baum hit for three from the left corner. Dondre Davis hit for a trey from the right corner, and FM led 16-13. There was plenty of exciting, back-and-forth action. Adirondack led 20-18, but Kyle Giddings fed Dondre Simmons who knotted the score at 20-all.

The T-wolves were enjoying their outside shooting. They sank six threes in the first half. Still, the Raiders stayed close. Late in the half, Stanislas put up a jumper that went through the net, but teammate Baum was called for goal tending, so FM got no points. Then just as the buzzer was about to sound, Adirondack's Kayln Credle lofted a shot from 40' out. It went through the net, and the half ended 48-38 in the visitors' favor.

Photo:  Khaleeq Baum scores a difficult two

FM's Rivera took a pass from Stanislas and scored to open the second half. Adirondack sank two more threes, but Stanislas countered with a three and a putback. The Wolves were stealing and rebounding well. They maintained their lead, stretching it to 63-50. Then the Raiders began their great comeback.

Stanislas drove for two and took a hard foul on his arm. (See photo below, right.) He sank the FT, cutting the lead to 63-53. The Raiders then poured in 13 more points while holding the T-wolves to just three.

During that run, Rivera hit a jumper, then drew a foul while shooting and sank both shots from the line. 66-57. Stanislas drove for two more. Baum was fouled and sank both FTs, after which the Raiders' tight press prevented Adirondack from inbounding the ball in the allotted five seconds. Baum scored again from the line, then put back a rebound for two. The Wolves' lead was 66-64. Stanislas was fouled and went to the line for a one-and-one. He drained both shots, and the game was tied.

Photo:  Kadeem Stanislas is fouled while scoring – he sank the free throw for a three-point play

The Raiders' great comeback had evened the game at 66-66 with 10:39 to play.

The Wolves, however, stepped up their game again. They outplayed their hosts during those last 10 minutes and posted a 94-84 win.

FM will be back in action on Wednesday. The Raiders will take on the 2-11 Schenectady CCC Royals on their home court in the Schenectady Y. The men's game will follow the women's contest and will begin around 7:00 p.m.

                           C.J. Bonny, website writer

Scoring:

FM:  Barr 4, Simmons 6, Rivera 8, Edwards 4, Stanislas 26, Stewart 3, D. Davis 3, Baum 30; Total 84

Adirondack:  Thompson 14, Scales 23, Tarver 11, Copeland 17, Zurlo 12, Girard 5, Credle 12; Total 94