QUEENSBURY – The Raiders are in the midst of an impressive winning streak, and they played impressively at SUNY Adirondack on Saturday, but they barely held off the attacking Timberwolves for a two-point win.
Two stellar players, FM's Tyrone Davis and Adirondack's Traquan Scales, made their presence known right away. Davis drove for the game's first basket, and Scales scored the home team's first points.
FM moved out to a modest lead. Raheem Small took a pass from Jordan Stewart and scored. Kyle Giddings scored from close in. FM led 6-3, but Scales drained his second trey of the opening minutes, and the score was 6-6.
Photo: Dondre Davis drives and scores
The visiting Raiders amassed an eight-point, 26-18 lead midway through the first half, but the Timberwolves fought back. Adirondack's standout sophomore Scales poured in 15 points in the first 20 minutes, and FM led by just 41-39 at the break.
The Raiders' second-half offensive got a huge boost from Tyrone Davis. Davis opened the 20 minutes by scoring eight quick points while FM was holding Adirondack to five. Versatile guard Davis' scoring binge included a free throw, a three-pointer, a layup, and a jumper. (See collage at the bottom of this web page.) Davis continued his crafty play by feeding Small for FM's next basket. The Raiders led by eight, but the Timberwolves kept nipping at their heels.
Shaleek Randolph's nice drive maintained the eight-point lead, but Adirondack's Shane Lyon hit a three from the right corner and Scales sank two FT's, cutting the lead to 54-51.
Dondre Davis tallied a three-point play, then added another field goal. Courtney Darnley nailed a three from the left corner. FM was ahead 62-53 with 10:58 left.
Photo: Raheem Small sinks a long two
FM increased their lead to 73-62, but the T-Wolves clawed their way back. FM saw their nine-point lead shrink. Soon it was 73-66, and then 79-74. Then, with 1:44 remaining, Timberwolf Cam Girard scored, and FM led by only 79-77.
Head Coach Ed Collar called for a time out with 50.6 on the clock. FM managed the clock, then shot. Giddings put back the rebound, and FM had 81 points.
Scales scored again for the home team. FM led 81-79 with 18.2 seconds remaining. The play by both teams was furious. Raiders and 'Wolves grabbed for the ball. A jump ball was called, and the possession went to Adirondack. The home team had the ball out of bounds, in front of their own bench, with 0.8 seconds left. Adirondack Head Coach Bill Haskell called a play to set up a shot by Scales. The ball was passed inbounds and on to Scales in the right corner. Scales shot, seeking his fourth trey of the day, but the ball hit the near side of the rim and stayed out. FM's defense had held. The Raiders won 81-79.
FM is now 12-7 on the season (6-4 conference) and owns a five-game win streak. Adirondack is 8-8 (3-6). The Raiders' next game will be on Wednesday, January 28, when they host Schenectady CCC at 7:00 p.m.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Scoring:
FMCC: Stewart 4-0-10, Akinmola 1-1-4, Randolph 2-1-5, Darnley 3-0-8, Dukes 4-0-8, Giddings 2-0-4, D. Davis 4-1-5, Edwards 2-2-6, Small 4-2-10, T. Davis 7-8-23; Totals 30-15-81
Three-point goals: 6 (Stewart 2, Darnley 2, Akinmola, T. Davis)
Adirondack: Scales 9-5-26, James 2-0-4, Credie 3-0-8, Chandler 4-8-17, Lyon 3-0-7, Butler 1-0-3, Girard 4-2-13, Dowe 0-1-1; Totals 26-16-79
Three-point goals: 11 (Scales 3, Girard 3, Credie 2, Chandler, Lyon, Butler)
Halftime: FMCC 41 – Adirondack 39
Photo: Tyrone Davis' eight-point scoring spree included a three-pointer (left), a layup, and a long two
.
