The #5 ranked Mohawk Valley Men's Basketball team improved their record to 2-0 in front of a packed crowd as they beat #1 Herkimer College by a score of 66-64 Wednesday night in the gymnasium at the Jorgensen Center. This game was a close battle throughout. The Hawks and Generals went into the half tied at 27. Justin Steed had 11 of his team high 17 points in the first half including three 3-point baskets. The Hawks struggled to finish in the second half has Herkimer built a 47-38 lead half way through the second half. Unfazed, the Hawks kept grinding and played great defense of their own on their way to a 15-0 run that would give them a 53-47 lead and they would not look back. The difference in the contest came down to poise and the charity stripe. The Hawks converted on 19 of 23 free throws in the second half, and the Generals were only able to make 2 out of their 9 opportunities at the line.
Three other Hawks joined Steed in double-digit scoring as fellow returning sophomores Jordanny Cuevas-Marte and Jonathan Dean had 16 and 12 points respectively. Also, Adonis Fishburne had 10 points in his debut for Mohawk Valley.
The #5 Hawks will return to action this Saturday and Sunday as they will play in the Monroe CC Tournament with game times at 6:00pm Saturday, and then a quick turnaround for a 12:00pm Sunday tip-off!