Photo by Kyle Vertin
QUINTIN JAMES
Special to The Leader
Coming into the long break week 5-11, the Fredonia men’s basketball team had a perfect opportunity to gain ground in the SUNYAC playoff race. The team had two weekend games against Potsdam and then against first place Plattsburgh.
Even though the Blue Devils have been playing pretty well as of late, there were many things they had to fix in order to get a playoff spot. Defense was going to be key as they were coming off a game where they allowed 95 points into their basket.
Another thing that the Blue Devils had to fix was their consistency. The last few games has seen the team play well together and also fall short. If they have any hope of making the playoffs, they have to be consistent and not lose games they need to win.
Head Coach Philip Seymour knew before the Potsdam game what it would take for the Blue Devils to return to the SUNYAC playoffs.
“I’m looking for us to defend and rebound. We need to be a little bit more efficient on the offensive end,” he said.
The Blue Devils are a good team when they are hitting the three point shot and getting out and running on the break. If they don’t rebound well, they are at a disadvantage especially since they aren’t the tallest team in the conference.
Seymour also knew how important this weekend is and didn’t downplay it.
“Each game is just one game. We’re not an in a position to take anyone lightly. And I don’t believe we will. Opposing team are getting better every day. This is a competitive conference from top to bottom,” said Seymour.
Photo by Kyle Vertin
The Blue Devils couldn’t take any team lightly from here on out as every game is crucial to their SUNYAC record. Their first game on Friday was against Potsdam and they pulled off a much-need victory. They pulled away late for a 72-64 victory led by a trio of Blue Devils with 13 points. Sophomore forward Ian Helps, junior guard/forward Dante Williams and junior Kasean Jackson led the way in a good effort out of the Blue Devils.
After leading at halftime by seven, Potsdam came out hot in the second half and took a one point leading the second half. It looked like the Blue Devils would crumble to last place Potsdam but they pulled themselves together and took charge the last seven minutes to get the “W.”
They couldn’t settle for this win as they had to now focus on first place Plattsburgh who were 14-3 overall. The Blue Devils looked like they didn’t know when the game started because they were down 20 at half and the comeback couldn’t be completed as they fell 89-75.
Helps led the way with a game high 22 points and nine rebounds while Williams had 13 points and six rebounds. The game was close in the first half until Plattsburgh went on a 23-4 run to basically seal the game in the first half.
The Blue Devils tried to come back in the second half but the closest they would come was 11. Defense was a major issue as Plattsburgh scored at will against a Blue Devils defense.
Fredonia couldn’t hit the three-point shot, shooting just 13 percent from beyond the arc. They only shot 41 percent from the field and it was a long day in Steele Hall for the home team. This game could’ve been a huge win for the Blue Devils but after that defeat, they are in the same position they were in last week.
Now the Blue Devils, sitting at 6-12 overall, go on a tough road trip to Oswego, Cortland and Brockport. Their season will be on the line now that they are on the outside looking in for playoffs.
In order for the Blue Devils to win, they will have to control the tempo and not let the crowd get to them. The next time we see the Blue Devils at Steele Hall, they could either be in prime position to clinch a playoff spot, or on their last legs for playoff positioning.