CAZENOVIA, N.Y. – The SUNYIT Wildcats (1-14, 0-5 NEAC) lost to Cazenovia College (4-10, 1-4 NEAC) on Wednesday, 75-68. It was the first time the Wildcats had lost to Cazenovia since joining the NEAC three seasons ago.
After getting down 49-35 in the second half, the Wildcats rallied to take a 53-51 lead with 7:33 to play. SUNYIT would tie it again at 58-58 on a T'Andre Richardson (Utica, N.Y. / Utica-Proctor) jump hook, but then Cazenovia unleashed their long-range attack in the form of junior guard Matt Perry. Perry would score the next 11 points of the game for Cazenovia, including three 3-pointers. When the dust settled the home team was up 69-64 with just over a minute left, and Cazenovia would hit their free throws to seal their first NEAC victory of the season, 75-68.
Perry had a career game for Cazenovia, scoring 31 points on 13 of 21 shooting (4 of 7 from 3-pt range), and even grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds.
SUNYIT was led by Sejad Gromilic (Bosnia / Utica-Proctor) with 17 points on 4 of 7 from behind the arc, and Derek Rowe (Mexico, N.Y. / Mexico Academy) registered a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.
Tanner Metzko (Bloomville, N.Y. / South Kortright) and Justin Brignola (Clifton Park, N.Y. / Shenendehowa) also contributed for the Wildcats, giving good minutes off the bench.
SUNYIT will travel down to Pennsylvania on Friday to face off with the Lancaster Bible Chargers. Game time is set for 6:00 pm.