Finger Lakes Defeats Tompkins Cortland, 98-79

CANANDAIGUA -- The Finger Lakes Men's Basketball team defeated Tompkins Cortland Community College 98-79 on Saturday on Putt Moore Court. The Lakers improve their record to 17-3 on the season. Finger Lakes is also 6-1 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference and 14-3 in Region III.

The Lakers opened the game on a 12-2 run over the first three minutes for the early lead. The Panthers would rally over the next five minutes. A second-chance basket by Tompkins Cortland would give them the 20-19 lead. Kievonn Banks cut into Panther lead, which grew to four points, with a three pointer. Dylan Verkey gave the Lakers the lead with a three pointer thirty seconds later for the 29-27 lead. Banks' and Verkey's threes started a 13-0 run for Finger Lakes. Tompkins Cortland drew the game back to four points, but Torry Wright converted a three point play with two seconds left in the half to give the Lakers a seven point advantage, 53-46, at the break.

Torry Wright led the Lakers with 19 points in the first half. Dylan Verkey and Kievonn Banks were also in double figures. Verkey had 14 points in the half while Banks added 10. Junior Sims helped facilitate the Lakers offense in the first with a game-high four assists.

Wright scored six of the first nine points of the half for Finger Lakes. Rahiem Robinson had a three pointer as well as Finger Lakes opened the second on a 9-0 run over the first four minutes. Tompkins Cortland drew the lead down to 11 points halfway through the second, but Kievonn Banks answered with his second three of the game to push the lead back out. A Bullock three gave Finger Lakes a 20 point advantage and the Lakers continued on to the 98-79 victory.

Torry Wright led Finger Lakes with 25 points. Wright was one of six Lakers to score in double figures. Kievonn Banks had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers. Dylan Verkey had 14 points and three blocks. Sims and Robinson scored 13 and 11 points respectively.

Brandon Bullock scored 12 points in the game, giving him 758 points in his career. Bullock moves into 15th place on the Finger Lakes All-Time list, passing Jorge Ebanks (752, 2007-09).

The Lakers will be on the road this upcoming week with a pair of conference games. The Lakers will face SUNY Broome Community College on Wednesday at 8pm and travel to Jefferson Community College on Saturday for a 3pm game.