Matthews leads Farmingdale State to Skyline title

A.J. Matthews has been his team's go-to guy most of the season.

It was the same story Saturday night for the 7-foot junior, who had 17 points and 17 rebounds as the second-seeded Farmingdale State men's basketball team won the Skyline Tournament championship with an 83-64 win over No. 4 SUNY Purchase.

It was the 25th double-double of the season for Matthews, who had 35 points and a school-record 29 rebounds in an 89-86 overtime win over Mount Saint Mary on Thursday.

Matthews, the Skyline regular- season and tournament MVP, had help Saturday night as four Rams finished in double figures.

Trailing Purchase 33-32 a minute into the second half, the Rams ripped off a 23-3 run to take a 55-36 lead with 10:28 remaining.

Purchase had no luck cutting into the deficit as Farmingdale State took its biggest lead at 64-42 with 6:17 to go.

"We worked hard all year at practice and went through a lot as a team," Matthews said. "But when it came time to play in the second half, we turned it up and got it done."

Josh Smith had 17 points, Dyshaun Flournoy added 13 and Ryan Davis chipped in 10 for the Rams.

"My point guard Ryan Davis came up big with two huge three-point shots. And A.J. played outstanding down low," Rams coach Erik Smiles said.

Craig Davis led Purchase with 15 points.

Farmingdale State (22-5) won the Skyline's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Tournament selection will take place tomorrow.