GENESEO, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo men's basketball team won in a thrilling Empire 8 match up against Sage on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Gators 87-84. The win improves the Knights record to 12-7 and 8-2 in conference, while Sage falls to 17-3 and 9-2 in the Empire 8.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Despite going down early 16-7, the Knights put up a solid effort to cut the Gator's lead to three with 11 minutes left in the first half with buckets from Robert Pericolosi, Colin Gentile, Justin Yearwood, Trevor Hofer, and Josh Garelle.
• Geneseo was able to take the lead with 10 minutes to go in the first half with more conversions by Hofer, Garelle, and Gentile. The lead then changed twice before the halftime buzzer, where Geneseo led 45-43.
• Geneseo came into the second half holding onto the lead until the 13:22 mark where the Gators nailed a three to put Sage up by one point. 
• A nail-biter to the end, the lead changed seven more times before the Knights were ultimately able to overtake the Gators with a three from Pericololsi at the 4:45 mark. Clutch end of game buckets from Hofer, Garelle, Pericolosi, and Jackson Casey, as well as great team defensive effort, helped the Knights keep the lead to close with a three point victory over the Gators.

QUICK FACTS:

• Hofer posted a season-high 29 points while also tallying four rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Garelle had 14 points, while Pericolosi and Gentile each added 13.
• Geneseo controlled the boards against a physical Gator team, grabbing a total 37 rebounds, 14 of which were on the offensive end.
• The Knights defense limited Sage to just 14 made field goals in the second half, and held them under their conference average points per game of 90.5.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Geneseo will head to Brockport on February 3rd for a 7:30 pm competition.