This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Farmingdale State Basketball Teams Win Two for Dominic Murray

"This Is My Season" fundraiser for fallen basketball star was a success.

On a night which honored 17-year-old Dominic Murray, a student at who died in October 2009 from sudden cardiac arrest after collapsing on the basketball court during a pick-up game, the women’s and men’s teams both won their respective games against rival SUNY Old Westbury.

Melinda Murray, mother of Dominic, started the Dominic A. Murray Memorial Foundation in order to shed more light on sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Her tireless efforts to raise awareness on the disorder helped several athletes in the area, and Ms. Murray’s desire to share information about SCA and raise funds for advocacy was on full display tonight George E. Nold Hall.

The large crowd that attended the games were asked to make a small donation. Murray was very pleased with the response. “Farmingdale has been very responsive…they opened up their hearts, and they’ve even let me take part in the CPR classes here, and talk to the students,” she said. “We have a goal for Dominic’s Foundation to certify 2,100 people in CPR training. For every one person that gets certified, it’s one more person who can save a life.”

Find out what's happening in Farmingdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Perhaps it was the inspiration that surrounded the memory of Dominic, but both teams did well to stifle the competition. In the first game, the women triumphed against the Old Westbury Panther’s 75-53, in a Skyline Conference matchup. The Rams (11-3, 15-6) now hold second place in the conference for themselves. The Panthers (10-4, 14-5) are just behind Farmingdale, in third place.

The Rams broke out to an 8-2 lead in the first half on the three-pointer by Jeanette Zubizarreta. Old Westbury cut the lead to two points, 21-19 on a layup by speedy guard Kim Weathers.  That’s as close as the Panther’s would get, as the Rams finished the half on a 13-6 run to take a 34-25 lead.

Find out what's happening in Farmingdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The second half was all Rams. Despite early foul trouble, the Rams run-and-gun offensive attack left the Panthers in the dust. Farmingdale got its biggest lead in the game at the 7:33 mark, on a Dominique Cunningham layup, bringing the score to 63-37. The Rams coasted the rest of the way, in front of a delighted crowd, 75-53.

Heroes:  You could say the high scorer for Farmingdale, junior guard Kayla Koch, who along with 19 points also had seven rebounds and five steals. But I would put Melinda Murray as my hero (or heroine). Her tireless efforts and devotion to her son’s memory were truly inspiring to see.

Turning Point: Not really one to find in this matchup. It was all Rams, all night.

Quotables:  “They’re raising the bar on awareness. They show they care by retiring Dominic’s jersey. They’ve just been very very supportive,” said Murray on how Farmingdale State College has reacted to these tragic circumstances.

Bottom Line: On a memorable night, the Rams look to have set themselves up now in good position for the playoffs.

 Key Stat: Junior forward Keona Jones scored the game’s only double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, along with four assists.

Next Game:  Farmingdale travels to Purchase, Feb. 10. Old Westbury hosts NYU-Poly Feb. 10.

In the men’s game, six players scored in double-digits for the Rams, as Farmingdale defeated Old Westbury, 87-70. Farmingdale (13-8, 12-4) was led by senior guard John Dabney, and Dyshaun Flournoy who both had 15 points.  Old Westbury (8-12, 7-8) was lead by Scott Arias, who had a game-high 20 points.

Download the movie

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?