Matthews leads Farmingdale State to second round
Farmingdale's A.J. Matthews shoots over the top of Purchase guard D.J. Smith for two. (Feb. 25, 2012) Credit: George A. Faella
AJ Matthews was a force throughout the game for Farmingdale State Friday night in its NCAA Division III Tournament opener, but it was the 7-foot junior's supporting cast that came to the rescue in the end.
Dyshaun Flournoy (six) and Christian Nunez totaled 11 points during a game-ending 15-0 run in overtime as the Rams withstood a 40-point performance by Jared Suderley and held off Hartwick, 98-88, in a first-round game in Oneonta.
Matthews led Farmingdale State (23-5) with 33 points and 19 rebounds. Flournoy added 17 points and Ryan Davis finished with 16 points, six rebounds and 11 assists. Nunez had seven points.
"These guys have been fighting like this all year," Rams coach Eric Smiley said. "It's a great feeling to see these guys win like this."
The score was tied at 81 at the end of regulation. A three-pointer by Suderley gave No. 23 Hartwick (23-4) an 88-83 lead with 2:24 left in overtime.
Flournoy answered with a three-pointer on Farmingdale State's ensuing possession. Nunez followed with a steal and two free throws to tie the score at 88 with 1:44 left.
Flournoy added another three-pointer with 1:00 left to give the Rams their first lead in overtime, 91-88.
"Today will be our 80th practice of the year," Smiles said. "They have made such an improvement since the first practice."
The Rams will play MIT in a second-round game at 7 Saturday night.
