DELHI, N.Y. (January 30, 2019) – The SUNY Delhi men's basketball team began ACAA competition on a satisfying note Wednesday evening, toppling Alfred State by a 77-68 score. The Broncos ran off the first 17 points of the game and never looked back as they improved to 11-9, securing their sixth win in their last seven games and eighth straight home win for an 8-1 home record.
The Broncos' win over the slated ACAA Tournament hosts enhanced Delhi's bid for the conference tournament, set to begin on Saturday, Feb. 23. Delhi looks to carry its momentum into its final five regular season games, three of which are against ACAA opponents, including a rematch at Alfred State. Head coach Zack Thomsen's team has also not lost a home game since their season-opener with Villa Maria on Nov, 17.
Prior to tip-off, senior forward Saquan Goland was recognized as part of Senior Night for his contributions to the program over the last two years. A transfer from Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Goland will graduate from SUNY Delhi with a degree in Business and Technology Management. He celebrated the occasion by being a vital part in the Broncos' dominating 17-0 run in the first five minutes of the game, contributing one layup, one block and one steal. Goland, who finished with five points and three rebounds, later made another key contribution in the second half. With Alfred State on a 9-0 run cutting the Broncos' lead to 58-51 with nearly ten minutes to play, Goland gathered a missed 3-pointer by teammate William Knight and dunked it in to reclaim momentum back to Delhi. The Pioneers never got any closer than seven points the remainder of the game.
Payton Dean finished 8-of-11 from the floor with two dunks for a team-high 18 points, along with nine rebounds. Knight made a trio of threes for 14 points off the bench, while Norman Wilson hit on a pair of triples for 12 points with seven boards and four assists. Carlos Ithier also nailed down two 3-pointers to tally eight points and five rebounds, as Jordan Fragale finished with seven points and seven assists. Justin Daoud came off the pine for seven points and five rebounds.
The Broncos turned in a productive day from the field, making 45.5 percent (30-for-66) and 10-of-27 3-pointers to the Pioneers' 36.1 percent (26-for-72) and 8-of-32, respectively. This included a first half where Delhi made 17-of-31 and 7-of-13 threes, compared to Alfred State's 10-of-31 and 4-of-13 from long range.
Wednesday's win puts Delhi two games above .500 for the first time this season. The Broncos were 5-8 prior to their recent success, which began with a road win at MCLA on New Year's Eve. Their next game will be at ACAA-foe Valley Forge on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., then will return home on Wednesday, Feb. 6 to play Cazenovia at 5:00 p.m. as part of SUNY Delhi Athletics' Gold Night. First 500 fans will receive a free gold t-shirt, courtesy of SUNY Delhi Health and Counseling Services, Student Senate, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Delhi's remaining stretch includes back-to-back ACAA games at Pratt on Friday, Feb. 8, then at Alfred State on Saturday, Feb. 9. They will close out the regular season welcoming College of St. Joseph on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 3:00 p.m.
