Box Score BOX SCORE

Albany, NY - Only five Panthers scored, but each reached double digits as ACPHS held on for a 58-57 victory at Albert M.White Gymnasium today. The Panthers improved to 4-1 in the HVIAC, 6-7 overall, while the Mighty Oaks dropped to 1-1 in the league, 3-12 overall.

The Panthers started hot, breaking out to a 19-9 lead after a three by Freshman Thomas Chalker (Metuchen, NJ) with 13 minutes left in the first half. SUNY-ESF clawed back quickly, led by Ryan Caldwell who finished with nine points in the first. They maintained a lead for the last eight minutes of the period, going into the break with a five-point lead over the Panthers.

In a second half that sported six lead changes, nobody was able to grab hold of the game until Chalker hit another three to put the Panthers up five following a cross-court pass from Sophomore  Alex Johnson (Malone, NY).  SUNY-ESF's Andrew Beemer pulled to within three only 20 seconds later, with Andrew Koch cut the lead to one after a costly turnover by Sophomore  Brandon Votra (St. Regis Falls, NY). The Mighty Oaks then fouled Senior Michael Beyer (Clifton Park, NY), but he missed the front-end of the one-and-one to give SUNY_ESF the ball down one with just 27 seconds left. The Mighty Oaks missed their first go ahead attempt, prompting head coach Scott Blair to call a timeout with 10 seconds remaining. Ryan Caldwell took the inbound at the top of the key with Votra on him, and used two screens to get to the rim for the game-winning basket. Chalker hustled over from the weak side and sent Caldwell's would-be lay-in flying out of bounds. The Mighty Oaks would not get another shot off, and the Panthers would finish today in third place in the HVIAC.

Brandon Votra led all scorers with 18 points and 17 rebounds. Beyer, Chalker, Johnson and Senior David Mcentee (Cazenovia, NY) each netted ten points, with all but Chalker chipping in five rebounds each. Mcentee added six assists, and helped the Panthers force 16 turnovers on the day. Leading the Mighty Oaks was Caldwell with 17 points and 13 rebounds and Tyler Kuhn with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

ACPHS well be right back at it this Tuesday, January 26th when they take on Green Mountain College at Albert M. White Gymnasium at 8pm. SUNY-ESF looks to rebound next Sunday, January 31st when they take on Pratt at home in Syracuse, NY.