JOHNSTOWN – The Raiders used a determined end game to win a 94-88 contest with SUNY Adirondack on Saturday afternoon.  A large crowd saw a very well-played game that had many lead changes and many standout players. The game was also a "Thank You" to military veterans and was designated the "Veterans Appreciation Game."

Photo:  Dondre Davis and Courtney Darnley (left) guard Adirondack's Cam Girard – Davis was a huge contributor to FM's scoring in crunch time

The first half was very fast-paced and saw the lead change hands five times before the Raiders took control of the final minutes. Sophomore center Kyle Giddings was a key to FM's success. Giddings took the ball to the rim by himself at times, but he was even more adept at powering up to control offensive rebounds and then put the ball through the hoop. Giddings scored 16 points in the first half.

Adirondack also had a big first-half scorer. Cam Girard connected for three three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes. Still, FM's hustle and hard work by at least a dozen different Raiders netted the home team a 48-40 lead at the break.

Photo:  Halftime activities included a pushup contest officiated by US military veterans 

FM had looked to be in control of the game as the first half ended, but Adirondack fought back and erased the deficit in the second half. Midway through the period the visiting Timberwolves owned a seven-point lead, at 68-61. Then it was the Raiders' turn to fight back.

Head Coach Ed Collars' team did some intense defensive rebounding and counterattacking with accurate breakout passes. FM regained the lead at 83-82 and outplayed the visitors at the end, despite some impressive efforts by Adirondack's Traquan Scales. Scales led all scorers with 30 points in the game – 22 in the second half.

Scales had the flashiest numbers, but FM's Dondre Davis also played a huge role in the game. Davis used a variety of high-output scoring moves, including a sweet spin drive, to score 13 points in the second half, with most of them coming in the tense late minutes.

FM won the game and deservedly so, but the Timberwolves also played quite well. The two teams will meet again at Adirondack on January 24 in what should be a dandy matchup. FM is now 5-2. Adirondack is 4-2. 

Photo:  Tremaine Elder shoots - he put in his own rebound on this play

The Raiders play again on Sunday, hosting Jefferson CC at 3:00 p.m. The Cannoneers are striving to win their first game of the season. They lost a close game at Schenectady CCC on Saturday. The Royals downed Jefferson 68-64. 

                   C.J. Bonny, website writer

Adirondack:  Scales 9-11-30, Credle 4-0-11, Chandler 10-0-23, Lyon 1-2-4, Girard 3-4-13, Dowe 1-1-3, Perkins 1-0-2, Mbaye 1-0-2; Total 88
Three-point Goals:  Scales , Credle 3, Chandler 3, Girard 3

FMCC:  Stewart 0-1-1, Akinmola 3-10-16, Randolph 1-0-2, Darnley 1-0-3, Dukes 2-2-6, Giddings 8-1-18, D. Davis 4-4-13, Edwards 5-0-11, Small 0-2-2, Brioso 4-1-9, Elder 1-0-2, T. Davis 4-3-11; Total 94 
Three-point Goals:  Darnley, D. Davis, Edwards 

Photo:  Tyrone Davis shoots - he tallied 11 points for the Raiders

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