Lakers Drop Close Matchup with Region III Opponent

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College Men's Basketball team failed to hold off a second-half comeback from the Vikings of Hudson Valley Community College, Falling 77-44. The Lakers lose drops their record to 3-5 on the early season. The Lakers played a great first-half, going into the break with a 34-21 lead. 

The Vikings came out of the half with extra intensity, forcing a couple of defensive stops and clawing back to shorten their lead to 10 early in the second-half. The Lakers traded blows with the Vikings throughtout the half, with the Lakers fighting back and growing their lead to 15 with twelve minutes still to play. The Lakers eventually led 71-61 with 3 and a half minutes remaining in the contest. A pair of 3-pointers and defensive fouls on the Lakers put the Vikings in prime position to take the win late in the game.

Sophomore guard Ben Waterman (Savannah, N.Y.) came up big in the game for the Lakers, dropping a game-high 29 points, Waterman also added 12 rebounds to give him a double-double. On the defensive end, Waterman grabbed 2 steals and blocked 1 shot on the afternoon.

Freshman Devon Payton (Rochester, N.Y./ Gates Chili) added 18 points off the bench as an offensive spark, shooting an effective 3-6 from the 3-point line. Payton also added 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to his total. Freshman CJ James (Victor, N.Y./ Victor) continued his strong play on the boards, pulling down 10 rebounds while grabing a steal and a block apiece.

Leading scorer Jevonte Williams (Rochester, N.Y./ Rush Henrietta) 14 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists while teammate Alejandro Castellanos (Manhattan, N.Y./ DME Academy) added 3 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block on the defensive end.

The Lakers have a quick turnaround, when they play the Timberwolves of SUNY Adirondack at 2 P.M. tomorrow November 21st.