The Morrisville Mustangs were the latest victim of Cortland’s red hot men’s basketball team Saturday afternoon.
Gearing up for the SUNYAC semifinals, the SUNY Cortland men’s basketball team holds a 21–4 overall record and sits atop the SUNYAC with a 17–1 record in conference play.
Cortland currently sits in first place and has built momentum with a thirteen-game winning streak as the regular season begins to wrap up.
The Red Dragons have picked up several important wins recently to stay on top of the standings. Cortland defeated New Paltz 68–58 in a physical and competitive matchup that tested the team’s defense.
The Red Dragons followed that performance with a 74–60 win over Oneonta, pulling away in the second half with steady scoring and disciplined play.
Those two victories along with their hot streak has helped Cortland maintain a two-game lead over Oswego. They remain close behind at 15–3 in SUNYAC play and continues to apply pressure in the conference race.
Senior Kendall Arcuri has been one of the main leaders for Cortland this season, setting the tone with his scoring ability and leadership. He recently reached the 1,000 career point milestone, a significant achievement that reflects years of dedication and growth within the program.
“1000 career points was definitely a surreal milestone for me,” Arcuri said. “My father was also a 1000-point scorer in college, so to be able to join him and share that accolade makes it all worthwhile. To have my 1000 points here at SUNY Cortland is unforgettable.”
For Arcuri, the milestone is more than just a statistic, it represents hard work, family pride and the impact Cortland has had on him both as a player and as a person.
Aaron Coston and Joel Davis have also played important roles for the Red Dragons this season.
Coston has delivered strong offensive performances in several key games, including multiple outings with 20 or more points. His scoring has helped keep Cortland steady during important stretches.
Davis has been consistent on both ends of the floor, contributing offensively while also helping on defense. He embraces that versatility.
“I mean honestly I tried to impact the game in whatever way my team needs me too,” Davis said. “Whether that’s playing defense or scoring the ball.”.
Together with Arcuri, the trio has given Cortland a balanced lineup that has been difficult for opposing teams to contain. The Red Dragons’ thirteen-game winning streak reflects how well the team is playing as the gets ready to face the SUNYAC semifinals head on.
Cortland has shown the ability to win in different ways, whether by building late leads or staying composed in close games.
“Consistently as a team it’s never one V one it’s always five v the ball handler, everyone’s loaded up to the ball side.” Davis said, “I’m ready to play help defense.”
The team’s defense has limited opponents during this stretch, while the offense has continued to create quality scoring opportunities.
Cortland will look to continue its strong play and host the SUNYAC semifinals for the first time since 2013 on Feb. 27th facing either New Paltz or Plattsburgh.