NAPLES, Fla. – Suffolk men's basketball used an impressive second half to open the Naples Shootout with a 78-71 win over Skidmore.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 78 | Skidmore 71
RECORDS: Suffolk (4-5) | Skidmore (4-5)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Skidmore led 33-25 at half time and held the advantage for the first seven minutes of the second stanza.
After William Rowe leveled the playing field at 42-all with a pair of freebies, Suffolk surged forward on Conor Creane's triple two possessions later.
A back-and-forth affair ensued and the score tied three times and the lead switched the same amount with the last landing in the Rams favor, 50-49, on a free throw from Keenan Robertson with 9:07 left on the clock.
This time, the blue-and-gold did not let go of the upper hand despite the all the Thoroughbreds tries and used finesse from the foul line to seal the victory.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Robertson registered 22 points, 19 of which came in the second half, on an 8-for-17 showing from the field and 6-for-8 performance at the charity stripe. He added eight rebounds and three steals.
- Aidan Sullivan recorded 21 points with 12 coming over the second set of 20 minutes. His stat line featured six boards and three set-ups as well.
- Cole LeVangie rounded out the Rams in double figures with 14 points to go along with six caroms and one takeaway.
- Rowe tallied nine points and nine rebounds with three helpers and one steal.
- Suffolk outrebounded Skidmore, 44-37.
- Both teams scored 32 points in the paint.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk played in the Sunshine State for the first time since Dec. 30, 2018, when it faced Wells it the second game of its stint at the 2018 Naples Shootout.
- Suffolk and Skidmore tangled for the first time.
- The Rams picked up their first win in December this year, snapping a five-game skid.
POST-GAME PIC
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk concludes its time at the Naples Shootout tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 30 when it faces Ohio Northern at 5 p.m.
