The men's basketball team hosted the Hawks from Mohawk Valley on Thursday night and was seeking revenge on a 94-77 loss just 11 days ago. This time around in the Raiders Den FM not only competed, but pulled off an overtime upset win 84-80.
Photo: FM celebrates after Dylan O'Connor (22) sends the Raiders into overtime with a buzzer beater three.
Nigel Hemingway led with 19 points. Kerome Grant scored 14, Ricky Santiago had 12 and Brandon Cooper and Dante Morgan each had 11 points. Saquan Goland grabbed 13 rebounds and had 7 blocks for FM.
FM went on a 15-1 run to spark a 30-15 lead midway through the 1st half. MV answered with a 16-5 run to close out the half 38-31. FM maintained the lead throughout most of the 2nd half. Brandon Cooper sank a three to put FM up 56-44. The Hawks would not go away as they clawed their way back and tied it at 69 with 3:53 remaining.
MV outscored the Raiders 6-2 in those final three minutes, but Dylan O'Connor found his shot when his team needed it most. With 13 seconds remaining and down 71-74 FM called a time out to set up a play. Ricky Santiago found O'Connor open on a skip pass and he drained a three at the buzzer and sent the game into overtime.
Mohawk Valley struck first in the overtime, but the FM defense went to work allowing just six points in the extra period. Dante Morgan hit crucial free throws in the final minute to secure the victory 84-80.
FM moves to 14-9 on the season and is currently 7th in the Region III standings. The Raiders will host Columbia-Greene on Saturday in the final regular season game at 3:00 p.m. The seniors will also be honored.
