Thursday, February 11, 2016

Oneonta Women's team victorious in Battle of the Red Dragons


BY DANIEL MATISHEK -- ONEONTA, NY

 Fans in the stands: Spectators pack the Arena in 
anticipation of the night's games

The famous and heated rivalry between SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Cortland continued this Tuesday as basketball teams took to the court and battled it out to see who would claim the title of the real Red Dragons.

The Battle of the Red Dragons Women’s game was won by Oneonta, with #0 Lyteshia Price scoring the most points for the team. Price, a senior, is likely to score her 1000th point with the school this upcoming weekend. SUNY Cortland’s top-scoring player was #23, Caysea Cohen. A former SUNY Oneonta student, Cohen now plays for Cortland and scored 17 points during the game.

 In the Dragon's lair: fans pose with Red the Dragon


At halftime, Oneonta had a 5-point lead over Cortland with the score standing at 31-26, and they widened that margin by the end of regulation, ending the game with a total score of 63-55. Women’s coach Daphne Thompson was happy about her team’s victory. “I’m very pleased with my team’s execution and commitment to each other,” Thompson said.

After the Women’s game, the Athletic department hosted a ceremony recognizing the Faculty Mentorship program, just one of the many facets of the Battle of the Red Dragons event. Athletics Director Tracey Ranieri says it’s her favorite event the school hosts. “It’s a collaboration of so many departments: Res Life with the banners, Sodexo with the food, and all others who love the sport,” said Ranieri. “It’s a team effort on behalf of the campus and I love the student involvement.”


 Faculty Mentors line up with their student athletes 
in recognition of their dedication to the program.

Fans in the stands were hopeful for an Oneonta victory in the Men’s game. Greg S., a native of Oneonta, said he thinks the games are a “blast.” “I know [the Oneonta’s Men’s Basketball Team] is gonna win. They just have to!”

The Oneonta Red Dragons are home again this weekend against SUNY Brockport on Friday and against SUNY Geneso on Saturday.



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