Spartans Fall in 2026 Opener

Cayuga Community College Men's Basketball opened the second half of the season with a home loss to SUNY ESF on Wednesday.

In a close contest throughout, the Spartans held an early lead but couldn't overcome a halftime deficit, losing 97-86 to ESF. Cayuga is now 2-9 on the season.

Josiah Murphy and Kirk McFarlane keyed the Spartans' first-half offense, with Murphy scoring seven points early in the frame to guide Cayuga to a lead. The Spartans led by six 10 minutes into the contest, but a quick 12-2 run gave ESF the lead. McFarlane's 13 points, combined with late baskets from Jadeir Breedlove, helped keep Cayuga within five at halftime.

Losing 48-44 at the break, Cayuga relied on Murphy and Marcus Pasha to stay close early in the second half. Consecutive baskets from McFarlane cut ESF's lead to 66-63, but a 15-5 run from ESF gave them a 13-point lead they held the rest of the game.

McFarlane finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, with Murphy adding 18 and Breedlove finishing with 17, respectively. Pasha had 12 points and seven rebounds, and both Breedlove and Murphy had four assists.

Cayuga is on the road Saturday and Sunday, at Clinton Community College on Saturday and North Country Community College the following day.