The Geneseo men’s basketball team had the opportunity to share first place with SUNY Brockport – if only it had won. The Knights fell to the No. 15-ranked Golden Eagles on Tuesday Feb. 11 in a tight 66-62 loss. It was an even battle for much of the game, but when it came down to the wire, Geneseo was unable to secure the lead despite numerous attempts in the final minute.
While the loss dampened the significant win over SUNY Plattsburgh on Saturday Feb. 8, according to guard sophomore Connor Keenan, there’s still time for the Knights.
Five conference games remain in the regular season, providing enough opportunities for the Knights to move out of second place. Geneseo’s final foes include SUNY Fredonia, Buffalo State College, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Oneonta and SUNY New Paltz.
It’s a tight race for the top spots, though, as Plattsburgh is alongside Geneseo with a 10-3 conference record. Although the Knights topped the Cardinals on Saturday Feb. 8 to propel into second place, the two schools remain neck-and-neck as Plattsburgh took an earlier game against Geneseo in the North Country.
The second-place spot could be a game changer for the tied schools when it comes to SUNYAC playoffs. The opening day on Feb. 25 feature two games: The third and sixth seed, as well as the fourth and fifth, face off, while the first two seeds earn byes.
One of those two spots – that could be Geneseo’s fate.
Head coach Steve Minton said, in a press release, that he is confident in the team’s ability to put itself in a “position to win every time.”
Junior Gordon Lyons and co-captain senior Connor Fedge are stepping up to that challenge. Lyons scored 25 points and a career-high 17 boards in Tuesday’s loss to earn his 13th double-double of the season. The Amherst, N.Y. native tallied 12 points against SUNY Potsdam on Feb. 7 and another 17 against Plattsburgh.
Fedge has consistently supported the offense, as well. He has scored double-digit points in all but two games this season.
With just five games left in the season, the Knights are looking to secure, at the very least, a home playoff game.
Geneseo travels to Fredonia on Friday Feb. 14 to take on the Blue Devils (3-11). Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.