Strong Defense, Late Run Lead Spartans Over Hornets

A furious second half rally erased a double-digit deficit as the Cayuga Community College Men's Basketball Team secured its first conference win of the season Thursday against the SUNY Broome Hornets.

Finding themselves down double-digits for much of the game, the Spartans switched to a trap-and-press defense, and the added pressure helped Cayuga cut into the Hornets' lead. Freshman guard Jacob Ramirez completed the comeback with a go-ahead three-pointer at the five-minute mark, and Cayuga coasted down the stretch to an 85-71 victory.

It certainly wasn't easy for the Spartans, as the Hornets used a three-point barrage to build an early 19-4 lead. The lead remained double-digits for much of the first half, with a late Cayuga run closing the gap to 44-38 at halftime.

The Hornets quickly rebuilt the lead to 17 points in the second half, and Cayuga was still down 11 with less than 13 minutes remaining. But as the Spartans picked up the defensive pressure, the Hornets slowed on offense and Cayuga found themselves trailing by just one when Ramirez hit the go-ahead three-pointer from the left wing.

Cayuga stayed on the attack after taking the lead, closing the game on a 17-2 run over the final five minutes to secure the win.

All five Cayuga starters finished with more than 10 points. Ramirez finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, sophomore guard Stanley Beato added 19 points and nine rebounds, and Scott Minnoe tallied 15 points. Freshman forward Isaiah Landres picked-up a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds, and freshman guard Deonte Holder led Cayuga with 20 points.

The win improves Cayuga's record to 5-9 on the season and 1-2 in Mid-State Athletic Conference competition.

Cayuga will visit Finger Lakes Community College on Saturday, January 18, for their next conference game. Tip-off is 3 p.m.