UTICA – The Raiders took on Region 3's #2-ranked team on Saturday. They met the Mohawk Valley Hawks on the Hawks' home hardwood.

The Raiders trailed by 14 points with 9:01 left in the game, but they fought back. FM led 60-59 with little over three minutes to go, but the Hawks fired home 13 unanswered points and won the game 72-60.

Photo:  Dondre Davis scores after driving the baseline

When the game began, FM had trouble scoring and quickly found themselves in a 17-8 hole that soon became a 25-10 hole. That early dearth of scoring may have been their undoing.

Midway throught the first half, the Raiders fought back. Jordan Stewart sank both shots of a one-and-one. Raheem Small put back a rebound. Stewart drove for two. Barceem Dukes grabbed a rebound and scored. Dondre Davis drove the baseline for two. Stewart scored two more. The Raiders had trimmed the Hawks' lead to 31-25 at halftime. Stewart had helped that comeback with a 10-point first half.

Photo:  Jordan Stewart scores with a spectacular spin move

Tyrone Davis opened the second half with a long jumper, cutting the lead to 31-27, but MV moved out in front again. The score was 54-40 with 9:01 to play. Then the Raiders upped their offense. Marquis Edwards sank a three that brought FM to within a point of the hosts, at 59-58.

Photo:  Marquis Edwards brings FM within one-point of MV

Barceem Dukes then put FM in front, at 60-59, with 3:21 on the clock, but MV was ready with a strong end game. FM was unable to score again, but the Hawks sent a "bakers' dozen" more points through the hoop, putting an emphatic finish on the game and winning 72-60.

FM's next game will be on Wednesday, Feb. 11, when they host the Saints of North Country CC. The Saints won 78-74 when the two teams met in Saranac Lake on January 13. That game could have gone either way, and FM will be seeking revenge when the Saints enter the Raiders Den on Wednesday.

                         C.J. Bonny, website writer

Photo:  Barceem Dukes gives FM the lead at 60-59

Scoring:

FMCC:  Stewart 4-3-13, Akinmola 2-2-6, Randolph 2-2-6, Dukes 2-2-6, Giddings 3-0-6, D.Davis 4-0-8, M. Edwards 2-2-7, Small 1-0-2, T. Davis 2-2-6; Totals 22-13-60

Three-point goals:  3 (Stewart 2, Edwards)

MVCC:  Rolon 4-2-11, Wilson 1-1-4, Ingram 6-3-18, Drexler 2-1-5, Walker 2-6-11, Tennant 1-2-5, Holt 4-2-10, Frith 3-2-8; Totals 23-18-72

Three-point goals:  7 (Ingram 3, Rolon, Wilson, Walker, Tennant)

Halftime:  31-25 MV

Records:  FMCC 13-10 (7-7), MVCC 20-5 (12-3)

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