Spartans Fall in Season Opener

Cayuga Community College Men's Basketball dropped its home and season opener Sunday to Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse.

The Spartans mounted a strong second-half comeback to challenge the Bobcats, but Bryant & Stratton pulled away late for an 87-76 win. Three Spartans scored in double-figures, led by Jadeir Breedlove's 25 points.

Bryant & Stratton held a small lead for much of the first half, but a layup by Breedlove cut the Bobcats' advantage to 27-24 with eight minutes remaining. The Bobcats ran out 13 straight points, though, and held a 51-31 lead at the break.

The Bobcats held a 20-point margin in the opening minutes of the second half before the Spartans started to cut into the deficit. A steal and layup by Yagub Drammeh made the lead 12, before another Drammeh bucket made it 65-55 with 10 minutes left. A Jai Clayton jumper and two Clayton free throws for Cayuga made it 65-59, but the Bobcats pulled away the rest of the second half for the win.

Breedlove had four assists and three rebounds to go with his team-high 25 points, and Drammeh finished with 18 points and a team-best 11 rebounds. Clayton had 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kirk McFarlane had seven rebounds.

Cayuga is home again on Wednesday, Nov. 5, to host their Region III and Mid-State Athletic Conference opener against SUNY Broome. Tipoff is 5 p.m. at Spartan Hall.