PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State men's basketball team honored three seniors on Saturday afternoon as they wrapped up their 2023 season with a loss to Oneonta 86-76 in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) action. Sheriff Conteh (Bronx, N.Y./Our Saviour Lutheran), Myles Jones (Alexandria, Va./Blue Ridge School), and Erik Salo (Delmar, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) were honored before the start of the game, as each was presented with a commemorative framed photo to honor their collegiate careers at Plattsburgh. 

Based upon a blanket waiver granted by the NCAA, some student-athletes may have eligibility remaining they would not have had otherwise, and they may choose to utilize it.

The Cardinals wrap up their season, finishing with a record of 10-15 (6-12 SUNYAC), seeing an eight-win improvement from last season. Oneonta moves to 17-8 (13-5 SUNYAC) with the win and will host New Paltz on Feb. 21 in a SUNYAC playoff first-round matchup. 

For Plattsburgh, Jones turned in the best scoring performance of his career on his Senior Day, finishing with 24 points on 50% shooting from the field and from deep, as he knocked down four three-pointers. Conteh was also strong in the final game of his collegiate career, posting 18 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Salo was solid for the Cardinals as well on his Senior Day, finishing with six points, 12 rebounds, and three assists. Kevin Tabb (Brooklyn, N.Y./Thomas Jefferson) added 10 points while Jalin Pitts (Palatka, Fla./Peniel Baptist Academy) had four blocks off the bench. Frankie Williams was the game's leading scorer, posting 28 points as he was 10-13 from the charity stripe. 

The Red Dragons won the game with their dominance in the paint, as they only attempted eight three-pointers, outscoring Plattsburgh 54-32 in the paint. As a team, they shot 45% from the field, while the Cardinals were 40.8% from the field and 32% from deep. The Cards knocked down eight total three-pointers and made 10-11 shots at the free-throw line, but the Red Dragons were too much to handle for Plattsburgh on the interior, winning the battle on the glass 52-35. 

The first 10 minutes of action were back and forth, as the teams battled for control of the game early in the first half. Oneonta began to pull away around the seven-minute mark, going up by eight points after an 8-0 run following a 17-17 tie. The Red Dragons would hold that advantage for the remainder of the half, eventually going up by nine points when Tyler Harts connected on a three-pointer with 23 seconds left to give Oneonta a 42-33 halftime advantage. 

Out of the halftime break, Plattsburgh immediately cut into the deficit, scoring the half's first six points to go down by just three points. The Cardinals would not get closer for the remainder of the game, however, as the Red Dragons withstood hot-shooting from both Jones and Conteh to hold a multiple-possession advantage throughout the second period of play. A Salo layup at the 7:11 mark pulled the Cards within four points, but good free throw shooting and strong work in the interior allowed Oneonta to hold Plattsburgh at bay, eventually earning the 86-76 victory.