Box Score SCHENECTADY, N.Y.Sparked by the return of the student body, which produced the largest crowdestimated at 350in the brief history of the Viniar Athletic Center, Union played its best and most inspired game of the season against a quality opponent as the Dutchmen defeated Plattsburgh State, 66-60.
The win broke the Dutchmen's four-game losing streak and improved the Garnet's record to 3-5 while the Cardinals fell to 5-3.
Union will host the 21st Annual Sig Makofski/Union Invitational this Friday and Saturday. The Dutchmen are the two-year defending champions. On Saturday, January 15, Union will dedicate the beautiful new Viniar Athletic Center. The Dutchwomen will meet Liberty League rival Vassar at 2 p.m. with the Dutchmen taking on the Brewers at 4:00. In between games Union President Roger Hull will formerly thank Dave Viniar, Class of 1976, for his gift. The day's events will start with the 11 a.m. men's alumni game.
Playing without junior forward Brian Scordatothe Dutchmen's second-leading rebounder (6.7) and third-leading scorer (11.1)because of an ankle sprain, Union built a 10-point halftime lead and led by as many as 15 (55-40 on a jumper by T.J. Ramey with 9:29 showing) before holding off a late Cardinal charge.
Senior forward Devon Bruce, junior guard John Cagianello and Ramey led Union's scoring with 16, 14, and 10 points, respectively. Bruce also contributed a team-high eight rebounds while junior guards James Rahill and Chris Murphy each handed out four of the Dutchmen's 15 assists.
Plattsburgh was led by the double digit scoring of Calvin Fraser (13), Jelani Simmons (12) and Jared Lowe and Brian Hatch, who each scored 10 markers. Simmons tied a Viniar record with his 16 rebounds.
The Dutchmen took a 39-29 lead into the half thanks, in part, to their six-of-13 effort from three-point range (46.2%) while the Cardinals connected on just two of 12 attempts (16.7%). Cagianello, who hit four of his seven first-half field goals attempts, knocked down three-of-four from outside the arch and went into the locker room with a game-high 11 points.
Murphy's layup with 14:30 left in the opening half gave the Dutchmen their first lead of the game, 10-9, and other than a 14-14 tie with 12:10 remaining, Union led through out the quarter. Jared Lowe's three-pointer with 5:32 showing brought the Cardinals to within two, 23-21, before a Cagianello tres at 3:59 started a period-ending 13-8 run that gave the Dutchmen their 10-point halftime advantage.
