FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - A second-half surge by the Gryphons fell just short in the Skyline Conference Semifinal as the hosting Rams of Farmingdale State advanced to the Championship Game by a score of 82-75.

Notable Performers

• Andrew Kim led the team with 22 points, 20 of which came in the second half
• Thomas Matonti added 13 points off the bench, knocking down a trio of three-pointers
• Eamon Kelly totaled 12 points in his final game with the Gryphons
• Chris Dougherty tallied eight points, 11 rebounds and five assists in the game 

How it Happened

The Rams started the game hot, scoring the night's first seven points and forcing an early Sarah Lawrence timeout. Dougherty got the Gryphons on the board with an early three-pointer before Kelly connected from distance moments later to draw the Gryphons within four. The hosts continued to pull away despite a score by Kim and a triple by Matonti that put FEC up 20-11 after nine minutes. The Rams continued to gradually build a lead, capitalizing on 60% shooting from distance, and building up a 19-point lead by the 3:47 mark. Aiden Morel connected from distance while Matonti contributed a pair of free throws, but the Rams maintained a 16-point lead by the intermission.

Kim got going immediately in the second half, opening the period's scoring before connecting from distance as the Gryphons attempted to mount a furious comeback. Kim connected from distance again, but the Rams answered and extended their lead to 20 points. SLC's long-range shots continued to fall, with Burman hitting before an inside score from Morel, but the hosts maintained a comfortable advantage. A made jump shot by Kelly followed by a trio of free throws by the senior reduced the FSC lead to 13 points with eight minutes remaining, giving the Gryphons some life. A Farmingdale score answered the run, but a pair of Kyle Jefferson triples bookended an 8-2 SLC run that reduced the lead to nine points with five minutes to play. A pair of FSC free throws returned the lead to double-digits, but Kim triples on back-to-back SLC possessions moments later brought the lead down to seven points with three minutes to play, as the Gryphons remained within striking distance. The teams traded scores before the Rams extended the lead back to double-digits with a minute to play. Kim scored from inside before Dougherty and Matonti each connected from deep to close the gap to six points, but with five seconds remaining, the visitors would be unable to close the gap and teh Rams would advance to the Skyline Championship Game.