WASHINGTON, D.C. – Junior Lamard Herron (Westbury) scored a game-high 20 points and senior Kevin McMahon (Hoosick Falls) finished with 17 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots as Cortland defeated Misericordia University, 69-62, to claim the title at the Catholic University Holiday Inn College Park Classic.

McMahon, the tournament MVP, hit 8-of-12 shots from the floor. Herron, who joined McMahon on the all-tournament team, finished 4-of-6 from 3-point range and 6-of-11 overall from the floor. Cortland improved to 6-3 with the win.

Junior Matt McGowan (Lake George) added career highs of 10 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore Brendan Ferguson (New York/Xavier) posted career bests of eight points and four rebounds. McGowan connected on 5-of-6 shots from the field. Ferguson was 2-for-4 from the 3-point line. Sophomore T.J. Hefele (Greenlawn/Friends Academy) and senior Garen Spendjian (Glen Cove) each scored seven points.

Misericordia (5-6) was led by Erik Kerns with 17 points and six rebounds. Steve Ware finished with 11 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, Joe Busacca added 11 points and three assists and Matt Greene scored 11 points.

Cortland trailed 43-41 with 14:29 left after two Kerns free throws, but the Red Dragons mounted a 13-0 run over the next five minutes to take the lead for good. McGowan and McMahon hit shots to start the run, followed by 3-pointer from Ferguson, Spendjian and Herron to put Cortland up 54-43.

The Red Dragons led by nine with 2:24 left, but two turnovers helped the Cougars close to within five after a Kerns 3-point play with 1:14 remaining. Cortland turned the ball over again, but Misericordia missed a 3-pointer and a jumper on its next trip. Hefele made two free throws with 27 seconds left to give Cortland a 67-60 lead, and he hit two of his four foul shots in the last 17 seconds to help secure the victory.

Misericordia led 17-7 to start the game, but Cortland went on a 19-5 streak that featured eight points from Herron, six by McMahon and five from Ferguson to take a 26-22 lead with 4:17 left in the half. Cortland led 32-31 at halftime.

Cortland shot 52 percent from the field and 47 percent (8-of-17) from 3-point range for the game. Misericordia shot 40 percent overall and 23 percent (5-of-22) from the 3-point line.

In addition to McMahon and Herron, Misericordia's Ware, Catholic's Steve Limberiou and Jerome Diggs of St. Joseph's (Maine) were named to the all-tournament team.

Cortland resumes SUNYAC play on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at New Paltz at 8 p.m.

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