Spartans Fall in Double Overtime

Cayuga Community College Men's Basketball battled for two halves and two overtimes before losing to Finger Lakes Community College on Tuesday.

Knotted at 66 following regulation and tied again after one extra period, the Spartans ended up on the wrong side of a 91-84 final. The loss gives Cayuga a split with the Lakers this season and leaves them with a 4-14 record.

The Spartans' offense started slow, with Cayuga trailing by 13 just nine minutes into play. Cayuga rallied, though, tying the Lakers at 29 on an Awayle Muse three-pointer before FLCC scored at the buzzer to take a 31-29 lead into the break.

The game was close the entire second half, with each team taking turns holding a small lead. Late in the period, a Josiah Murphy layup off an in-bound tied the game at 66. Cayuga missed a jumper at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.

Murphy kicked off the first overtime period with a three, giving the Spartans an early advantage before the Lakers came back to take the lead. Cayuga twice took the lead late in the extra frame, once on free throws by Yaqub Drammeh and again on free throws from Murphy. The Lakers tied the game late in the period, though, then scored the first eight points in the second overtime to take control.

Murphy led Cayuga with 36 points, with Drammeh and Kirk McFarlane adding 13 points. Muse and Jai Clayton each had eight points.

The Spartans are on the road Saturday, Feb. 7, at SUNY Broome. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.