By Rob Potter
LOCH SHELDRAKE — February 5, 2010 — The Sullivan County Community College Generals quickly expanded their nine-point halftime advantage over the visiting Westchester County Community College Westcos in the second 20 minutes of play on Tuesday night at SCCC’s Paul Gerry Fieldhouse to record a 92-64 win in the Mid-Hudson Conference game.
With the victory, SCCC, which is the No. 2 ranked National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III team in the country, improved its record to 21-0 overall, 12-0 in Region XV and 9-0 in MHC. The Generals clinched the MHC regular season title with their triumph.
The game was tied seven times in the opening 10 minutes. With 12:10 to go in the half, sophomore guard Terry Coleman made a free throw to give SCCC a 16-15 lead. About a minute later, he swished a 3-point shot.
But Westchester’s Antoine McLaurin answered by driving to the basket to cut the Generals’ advantage to 19-17 with 10:35 remaining. Just 25 seconds later, Westcos’ forward Davon Henry slam dunked on a fast break to even the score.
Jason Givens scored inside the lane on the next two SCCC possessions to give the team a 23-19 lead. The Generals proceeded to hold the advantage for the rest of the evening.
SCCC quickly pushed its lead to double digits early in the second half.
The Generals had a balanced offensive attack as four players finished in double figures.
Coleman scored a game-high 22 points. Givens finished with 18 points, which is a career high. Geraldo Fernandez had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds and Moses Dayee had 12 points.
Coleman and Dayee each had eight assists.
“We had a 17-4 scoring run in the first five minutes of the second half,” SCCC Coach Kevin DeVantier said.
DeVantier, who is in his first season of guiding the Generals, noted that the quick start to open the second half and improved defense were keys to his team’s victory.
“Our defensive effort in the second half was really great,” he said.
He was also pleased to win the regular season MHC title. The Generals will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming MHC Tournament, which will be held on Feb. 19 and 20 at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie.
Ian Umpierre led Westchester (9-11, 5-3 MHC) with 14 points. Teammate Javonn Holley added 13 points.
Westchester Coach Tyrone Mushett noted that the opening minutes of the second half proved to be pivotal.
“We stayed with them in the first half,” he said. “But then Moses Dayee made those three 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the second half. He’s a solid player.
“Their shots were falling in the second half and ours weren’t,” Mushett added.