Ryan Schmadel recorded career highs of six 3-pointers and 20 points (Darl Zehr Photography)
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Jonathan Patron scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and was one of six Plattsburgh double-figure scorers as the SUNYAC-leading Cardinals defeated visiting Cortland, 90-67.
Plattsburgh, which has won 14 straight games, improved to 17-4 overall and 14-1 in league play. Despite the loss, Cortland (15-6 overall) remains tied for second place in the conference with Brockport, each at 10-4 and a game ahead of fourth-place Geneseo. Cortland's final four regular-season games will be at home - Fredonia and Buffalo State next Friday and Saturday, and Geneseo and Brockport Feb. 16-17.
Ryan Schmadel (Oriskany) led Cortland with a career-high 20 points and added five rebounds. He finished 7-of-9 from the field, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range, in 24 minutes off the bench. His six 3-pointers are a career high. Zach Lydon (Elizaville/Stissing Mountain) recorded 10 points and six rebounds,
Jake DiSanto (Rochester/Victor) made all three of his shots and ended with a career-high nine points, and Kenny Charles (Huntington) totaled career highs of five rebounds and four assists. James Morales (Mount Kisco/Fox Lane) chipped in with eight points, five rebounds and four assists, and is nine points shy of reaching the career 1,000-point mark.
Patron finished 9-of-21 from the floor and 12-of-12 from the foul line to lead the hosts. Brandon Johnson and Erick Mack each scored 11 points, with Chris Middleton, Nick DeAngelis and Eli Bryant tallying 10 points apiece. Mack blocked four shots, and Ian Howard led the Cardinals with 12 rebounds.
Plattsburgh never trailed in the contest. The Cardinals jumped out in front 16-4 about six minutes into the game and led by as many as 19 points in the opening half at 33-14 with 5:56 left. Cortland fought back to within nine at 37-28 after a DaVaughn Johnson (Harlem/Henry Street School) with 1:02 left, but Mack hit a 3-pointer with 48 seconds remaining and Plattsburgh led 40-28 at the break.
The closest Cortland got in the second half was 10 at 45-35 on a Morales layup with 16:41 remaining. Plattsburgh went on an 18-3 run over the next six minutes, including six points from Patron and five by Bryant, to take a 25-point lead. The Cardinals maintained at least an 18-point lead over the final 10 minutes.
Plattsburgh was a perfect 22-for-22 from the foul line. Both teams finished with 10 3-pointers (Plattsburgh 10-of-27, Cortland 10-of-33). The hosts held an 18-6 advantage in points off of turnovers as Cortland gave away the ball 13 times compared to Plattsburgh's 10 turnovers.
