Kidd, Mitchell lead Gators to 81-78 win at Hartwick

Kidd, Mitchell lead Gators to 81-78 win at Hartwick

Oneonta, NY— Senior forward Chris Kidd (Troy, NY/Beacon) and sophomore guard/forward Anthony Mitchell (Bronx, NY/Salesian) each posted a double-double to lead The Sage Colleges to an 81-78 Empire 8 men's basketball victory over host Hartwick College at Lambros Arena Saturday afternoon. The Gators evened their league record to 5-5 and evened the season mark at 10-10. The Hawks stand 3-7 in the league and 7-12 for the season.

Kidd scored 12 points with a game high 13 rebounds, and Mitchell pulled down 10 rebounds with his 10 points. It was the ninth double-double for Kidd this season, while Mitchell recorded his first with his season high 10 rebound total. He tied his career rebounding total, the third time with 10 in a game as a Gator. Junior guard Christian Larson (Jacksonville, FL/Oakleaf) scored a team high 14 points and junior guard Darius Denmark (Orlando, FL/Evans) scored 12 points. Six players scored in double figures, including the 10 points each by graduate guard Frane Larose (Miami, FL/N. Miami Beach Senior) and sophomore forward/center Joshua Gonzalez (Albany, NY/Canajoharie). Gonzalez just missed out on a double-double of his own, finishing with nine rebounds. Larose also had a game high six assists. Sage shot 40% and 72% from the line. The Gators dominated the boards, 53-34.

Kyle Bradshaw led Hartwick with a game high 17 points and Tommy Kelly scored 16 for the Hawks Pat Garey scored 14 and joined Brandon LaForest with a team high six rebounds. Hartwick shot 45% for the game.

The Hawks led 49-42 at halftime. A three-pointer by Kelly with 17:33 left in the second half gave the hosts an eight-point lead at 52-44. It was a seven-point advantage with 10:35 left at 65-58. But the Gators went on a 10-2 run for a one-point lead with 5:53 to play at 68-67 after a Mitchell layup. With 51 seconds left Sage led by five (77-72), and Denmark made four straight free throws in the final 11 seconds to lead the victory.

Sage will host Empire 8 foe Nazareth Friday night at 7:30 while Hartwick hosts Alfred Friday, also at 7:30 p.m.