JOHNSTOWN – The Schenectady Royals were overdue for a win. They had recently lost to Cayuga by only two points and to Hudson Valley by seven, but the Royals have balance, height, and speed. They put their assets together on Tuesday evening and earned a victory over the Raiders, 77-70.

A good crowd was in the Raiders Den, and they enjoyed a high-tempo effort by both teams. 

Photo:  Khaleeq Baum's power-up gives FM 21 points

Schenectady scored the first points. Kadeem Stanislas countered with two from the free throw line. Darius Ward drove for a nice bucket, but the visiting Royals led 10-4. Soon it was 12-6.

FM's offense was sputtering, so Head Coach Ed Collar took out the starting five and sent in five fresh Raiders. Dondre Davis hit for two, and Marquis Edwards sank a three from the left side. Schenectady led 14-11.

The early going saw little scoring. With 10:33 left in the half, the Royals were up 16-11. Then the Raiders raised their game. Ward sank a three and a two. 20-19 Schenectady. Khaleeq Baum powered his way up through a crowd for two points and a foul. He sank the FT, tying the score at 22-22. (See lead photo, above.)

Photo:  Jordan Stewart drives for the hoop

The Royals jumped out in front again, but Edwards' two free throws kept FM close at 24-22. Jordan Stewart scored from behind the arc, and the affair was tied 27-27.

The Schenectady Five made a nice scoring run as the first half was ending, but Edwards drained another three – this one from the left corner – to complete the scoring for the first 20. The Royals led 34-32 as the teams left the floor.

The visitors scored first as second-half play began. Tyrone Davis' beautiful shot rimmed out, and the Royals led by five. Bryant Jack powered up for two points. Baum tallied two. But SCCC still had a three-point lead.

Kyle Giddings scored two field goals – the second after a fine feed by Tyrone Davis – and closed the score to 43-42.

Photo: Kyle Giddings scores – Tyrone Davis (32) has just passed to Giddings

Dondre Davis sank a trey and gave FM the lead at 45-44 with 15:20 remaining. However, FM missed four consecutive free throws, and the Royals regained the lead.

Dondre Simmons drove the lane for two and tied the game 49-49. But the Royals then moved out in front and stayed there. Carlos Rivera's spinning putback brought FM within one point, 65-64, but the Raiders could not catch the Royals. The final score was 77-70.

FM's season record is now 3-4. The Raiders will end their semester with two away games. They will play at SUNY Delhi on Saturday and will travel to Finger Lakes CC the following Saturday, December 14. Both games have 3:00 p.m. tip times.

                                               C.J. Bonny, website writer

Scoring:

SCCC:  Francis 15, Spencer 6, Gregg 19, Garlic 13, Harding 6, McCall 2, Stempsey 16; Total 77

FM:  Barr 9, Simmons 2, Scott 3, Rivera 4, Ward 7, Edwards 10, Stanislas 12, Stewart 3, T. Davis 2, D. Davis 6, Baum 8, Giddings 4; Total 70