DELHI, N.Y. (January 22, 2019) – SUNY Delhi men's basketball lived up to their home success in overwhelming fashion Tuesday night, delivering a 75-52 win over their guests from Green Mountain. The win gives Delhi their seventh straight victory at home this season to improve to 10-9, while exacting revenge on an Eagles squad that handed them a 65-52 defeat on Dec. 17. Head coach Zack Thomsen's team has won five of their last six games.
The Broncos picked up win number ten thanks to a slew of double-digit performances. Norman Wilson led the charge with 14 points, making a pair of threes, while grabbing five rebounds. Forward Payton Dean earned his seventh double-double this year with 12 points and 11 boards, while Jordan Fragale tied his season high with 13 assists to go with six points and six rebounds. William Knight notched 13 points and a trio of rebounds, assists and steals off the bench. Carlos Ithier connected on two 3-pointers as he finished with ten points. Those five and company combined for Delhi's third-highest shooting performance of the season, making 49.2 percent (31-for-63) from the field, while holding the Eagles to just 31.7 percent (20-for-63). Green Mountain's point total Tuesday marked the lowest the Broncos have given up this season.
The game moved at a brisk pace, with only 21 totals fouls being called (Delhi 10, Green Mountain 11) and neither side entering the bonus at any time. What started out as a back and forth contest through the first ten minutes, Delhi, ahead, 18-17, with 9:51 before halftime, closed the half on a 14-2 run for a 32-19 lead at intermission. Knight had 11 of his points and all three of his rebounds and steals in the opening half, including taking two steals all the way to the basket for four points. The Broncos stuck to the same tune in the second half, stretching their lead to as much as 26 points before the final buzzer. Delhi's lead never shrunk any smaller than their 13-point halftime advantage in the last 20 minutes.
Delhi outworked the Eagles in the paint, holding a 43-34 advantage on the glass, as well as a 38-24 lead in points in the paint. The Broncos went 6-for-23 from 3-point range and 7-of-10 on free throws, while GMC fared 7-for-23 and 5-of-7, respectively. Saquan Goland finished with seven points and three rebounds, as Justin Daoud buried seven points in just seven minutes of action, going 3-for-4, including one 3-pointer. Mavenson Therneus charted four points with six boards, while Baba Babalola accounted for the Broncos' remaining two points on the evening.
Coach Thomsen's squad have six more games this year to strengthen their bid for an ACAA Tournament berth. Their next challenge is set for next Wednesday, Jan. 30 at home, welcoming Alfred State for their first ACAA matchup at 8:00 p.m.
