NEW PALTZ, N.Y. (November 21, 2018) – The SUNY Delhi men's basketball team voyaged to SUNY New Paltz Tuesday evening, battling the Hawks in a close contest down the strecth. Trailing by just six at halftime, the Broncos found themselves behind by as much as 15 in the second half. Despite a late run, Delhi could not close the gap soon enough in an 89-85 defeat. Head coach Zack Thomsen's squad enters Thanksgiving break at 1-2.
Payton Dean scored the game's first basket, which served as the Broncos' lone lead of the contest. The Hawks jumped out in front and led by as much as 12 points in the first half. Delhi cut New Paltz' lead in half by intermission to trail 45-39, but the home team opened the closing half on a 9-2 run to set some distance. The Broncos were behind, 66-51, with 12:06 remaining for their largest deficit of the game, but answered with a 11-2 run to get back in the contest. Several points swings, however pitted Delhi in a 12-point hole at 83-71 with less than two minutes to play. The men closed the game out on a 13-6 run, with nothing but the final buzzer stopping their momentum.
In a breakout performance, freshman Mavenson Therneus came off the bench to shoot 8-for-11 from the field and 4-for-6 from long range for a team-best 20 points, along with four rebounds. Payton Dean logged a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards, while point guard Jordan Fragale made 18 points with seven assists, going 7-for-8 from the free throw line. Carlos Ithier went a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe as he finished with 12 points.
Delhi shot 37.3 percent from the field (28-for-75) and 10-of-37 from 3-point range, as New Paltz shot 50.0 percent (33-for-66) and 9-of-16, respectively. The Hawks outrebounded the Broncos, 53-40, and led, 38-24, in points in the paint. Delhi did force NP into 14 turnovers for a 13-6 lead in points off turnovers, as well as a 40-25 lead in bench points.
Coach Thomsen's squad returns home this Sunday for an afternoon showdown with local foe and fellow sister school SUNY Cobleskill at 2:00 p.m.
