Colts vs Falcons of Lackawanna

-Middletown NY,

On Thursday January 23rd the SUNY Orange Colts played host to Region 19 opponent the Falcons of Lackawanna Community College. This is the first time this season that these two teams will face off against each other. The last time the Colts played the Falcons, SUNY Orange came out victorious defeating Lackawanna 79-62 in the 2023-24 season. 

 Looking to extend their record to 16 wins on the season, with a win in this game the Colts would have won 4/5 games against the Falcons with their last loss coming in 2018-19 season.

Keeping their win streak alive, winning their third game in a row defeating the Falcons 86-64 this is their seventh game this year where the Colts outscored their opponents by 20+ points. 

In this contest the Falcons managed to jump out to an early lead after scoring the games first basket. Lackawanna was able to hold on to their 2-0 led for the first three minutes until So. Forward Mat Shea Shea was able to draw the foul for a chance at two shots from the free throw line. The Colts were soon able to earn their first lead of the game coming off a strong finish from Jabari Phillip, after grabbing the offensive rebound over three opponents Jabari was able to rise up and finish the contested layup for two points and a chance at three after drawing the foul. The Colts would continue to find success scoring the ball leading 23-13 after the first 10 minutes of play. For with less then 3 minutes left in the half the Falcons would cut the lead to just one point before regaining their lead with a score of 41-42 and in their very next possession the Colts jumped back in the lead coming off a Daniel Lans layup. The Colts would go into the second half leading the Falcons 44-42.

To start the second half the Colts picked up right where they left off in the first earning back to back steals coming from the NJCAA Steals leader #3 Daniel Lans for two easy buckets on the offensive end. The tenacious defense was too much for the Falcons to handle as the Colts were able to force missed shot after missed shot and were able to capitalize on the other end. With 17 minutes left in the game So. Forward #24 Mat Shea shook the gymnasium getting the crowd on their feet after getting past one defender with a pump fake in the corner forcing him to drive in for the one handed slam over the Lackawanna defender, bringing the much needed energy with his posterizer slam and forcing the Falcons to call a timeout. Coming out of the break the Colts were able to force another turnover increasing their lead to 12 points which is the largest lead of the game thus far. In the last 10 minutes of the game the Colts outscored the Falcons 20-12 with the Colts coming away with the victory defeating the Falcons 86-64. 

-Top Performers-

So. Forward #22 Jabari Phillip led the way for the Colts scoring 21 points on 8-13 shooting. Jabari also added 10 rebounds and recorded the teams only block of the game.

So. Guard #3 Daniel Lans was the second highest scorer finishing with 20 points on 9-12 shooting. Lans also added eight rebounds, three assists and five steals to his great night. This is Lan's seventh game where he finished with five or more steals. 

So. Forward #24 Mathew Shea was the third and final Colt to finish with ten or more points. Shea finished the night with 16 points, 15 rebounds (fifth double-double of the season), two assists and four steals.

The Colts travel to Mercer Community College to take on the Vikings on Saturday January 25th starting at 2:00 PM EST.