CORTLAND, N.Y. – John Decker scored 25 points, including the game-winning jumper with less than six seconds remaining, as Geneseo defeated Cortland, 77-76, in a SUNYAC men's basketball matchup. Geneseo snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 8-3 overall and 2-2 in the league. Cortland had its six-game win streak ended and is now 9-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
Decker's straight-away jumper over a defender capped an exciting final minute and a half that featured four lead changes. Cortland trailed by eight with 9:18 left and by six, 70-64, at the 3:13 mark, but
JP Reagan (Cortland) eventually gave the Red Dragons a 72-71 lead on a 3-pointer with 1:26 left.
Charlie Zaepfel sank two free throws with 1:16 left to put Geneseo ahead by one. Reagan was fouled with just under a minute left and hit the second of two foul shots to tie the score. Decker drew a foul with 39 seconds remaining and sank both free throws. Following a timeout, Cortland's
Blair Estarfaa (Buffalo/Maryvale) swished a 3-pointer to give Cortland a 76-75 lead with 18 seconds left.
Geneseo called timeout with 12 seconds left, and on its ensuing possession Decker hit a contested jumper from inside the top of the key to put Geneseo ahead with just over five seconds on the clock. Cortland raced down the court and attempted to drive toward the basket but wasn't able to get a clean shot off as the ball was knocked out of bounds as the buzzer sounded.
Decker made 9-of-15 field goals, 3-of-7 from 3-point range, and all four of his free throws. Justin Ringen added 17 points and nine rebounds and Zaepfel finished with nine points. Zaepfel and Kevin Crockett each dished out five assists.
Carrel Joseph (Port-au-Prince, Haiti/Deer Park (NY)) led Cortland with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He made 7-of-14 shots from the floor. Estarfaa finished with 12 points, all in the second half, and six rebounds, while
Michael Kelly (Monroe/Burke Catholic) made all three of his 3-point attempts and ended with 11 points.
Geneseo shot 55 percent from the floor, 47 percent (7-of-15) from the 3-point line, and 86 percent from the foul line (12-of-14). Cortland finished at 39 percent from the field, 36 percent (9-of-25) from the arc, and 65 percent (15-of-23) from the charity stripe. Cortland outrebounded Geneseo, 38-28, and held a 16-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Cortland will host Potsdam Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Plattsburgh Saturday at 4 p.m.
