The Farmingdale State men's basketball team earned the No. 4 seed and will host No. 5 Sage College in the Skyline Conference quarterfinals Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Four seniors who helped lead Farmingdale State (18-7 overall, 14-4 conference), the defending Skyline champs, were honored before the final regular season home game last Tuesday against Yeshiva, a 68-61 win.
With 200 in attendance, the Maccabees were determined to spoil the celebration on a night where Ryan Davis, Leo Esonwune, A.J. Matthews and Christian Nunez were recognized.
Matthews led the Rams with 12 first half points and 4 critical offensive rebounds that led to points for the Rams as both teams were tied at 29. Yeshiva made 5 of 9 three-pointers.
The second half began with both teams trading basket after basket. Finally with 6 minutes left, the Rams went on a 7-0 run boosted by their defense causing 10 turnovers.
The Maccabees couldn’t handle Matthews as he scored a game high 28 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Rams locked up the win by hitting crucial free-throws that would send Yeshiva home in dismay.
But after dropping a 70-61 road decision to Mount Saint Mary Saturday, the Rams fell from the second seed to No. 4.
The Farmingdale women also earned the No. 4 seed and will travel to face No. 1 Mount St. Mary in the Skyline semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m.
Now the second season begins.
Editor's Note: Matthew Patick is a student journalist at Farmingdale State.
