JOHNSTOWN – It was an afternoon to remember. The Raiders were trailing the taller, tough SUNY Broome Hornets on Sunday afternoon. The visitors led by 11 at the half, and they led by 19 with just over 12 minutes remaining. But an amazing, tenacious, determined effort saw the Raiders rise phoenix-like from the ashes and earn a fantastic win, 88-84.
The old clichés came true. The Raiders did in fact snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The FM faithful were treated to a comeback to remember.
Photo: Tyrone Davis ties the game at 84-all with this last-minute free throw
The visitors from Binghamton stepped onto the FM hardwood with a 3-1 record and memories of their last game, which was an 88-72 win at Schenectady County CC on Friday night.
The Hornets took the lead at 22-20 and steadily added to that lead. They owned a 53-42 mark at the break and appeared to be headed for a 100-plus tally for the game. But basketball is often a game of two different halves. That was the case on Sunday.
Shaleek Randolph may have given a hint of what was to come when he drained a nice three-pointer late in the first half. (See photo at the bottom of this webpage.) Randolph went on to score key points down the stretch and add a total of 14 points to the FM ledger.
Broome was in charge of the first eight minutes of the second half. The Hornets led 70-51 with 12:08 to play. That 19-point lead seemed insurmountable, but Head Coach Ed Collar's team suddenly started playing even tougher defense, hustling even more than before, and scoring as they had not been able to do earlier. After the game, Coach Collar had special praise for Kwa-Shawn Jackson who entered the game and played with great energy and focus.
Photo: Tyrone Davis closes the gap to 74-61 – other Raiders, from left: Dondre Davis and Kwa-Shawn Jackson
Marquis Edwards grabbed a key rebound and made it 74-63. Randolph attacked the hoop with fury. The crowd was loud and loyal. The game was being played with a lot of contact.
A few minutes later, Randolph made a skillful drive through traffic and made the score 80-69. He drove again and, with an acrobatic reach-around, closed the gap to nine points, at 80-71. FM's intensity increased.
Photo: Shaleek Randolph scores with a reach-around – the other Raiders are Marquis Edwards (left) and Kwa-Shawn Jackson
Ayodele Akinmola added a three-point play. 84-78. Only six points separated the teams.
Edwards stole the ball and sped in for a layup with Akinmola in good position close behind. The score was 84-80.
Photo: Marquis Edwards scores after stealing the ball
Randolph stole the ball.
The ball deflected off a Hornet and went out of bounds. FM put the ball in play.
Tyrone Davis drove through the lane and scored. FM trailed 84-82.
Photo: Tyrone Davis makes the score 84-82
The game was almost over, but not quite. Broome raced toward their end of the court but stepped out of bounds. FM's ball. Broome had to foul, and they did, sending Raider Shaleek Randolph to the foul line. Randolph nailed both attempts. FM led 88-84 and time ran out. The Raiders' all-out effort had given them a remarkable, memorable win.
In a postgame interview, Coach Collar stated, "Kwa-Shawn Jackson lifted us up with his energy. That got the guys grabbing more rebounds." Collar added, "We are a smaller team. We have to force turnovers, and we did. This win was a matter of great effort."
FM's record is now 2-2. Broome is 3-2. FM's next outing will be Wednesday evening, Nov. 12, at Cayuga CC with a 7:30 p.m. start. (Note: That contest had originally been scheduled for next Saturday.)
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Score by halves:
Broome 53-31 84
FMCC 42-46 88
Broome: Chatham 27, Barwari 2, Pigott 15, Guerrero 2, Ahmad 16, Spencer 4, McNeil 18; Total 84 Three-point goals: Chatham 3, Ahmad 4, McNeil 2
FMCC: Stewart 6, Akinmola 17, Randolph 14, Darnley 5, Dukes 1, Giddings 3, Sumpter 2, D. Davis 12, Edwards 8, Small 2, Brioso 4, Elder 2, T. Davis 12; Total 88 Three-point goals: Stewart 2, Randolph 2, Darnley 1, Giddings 1, D. Davis 2
Photo: Shaleek Randolph scores from beyond the arc
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