GENERALS GO 1-1 AT PHILLY CLASSIC

HERKIMER — The Philly Classic failed to disappoint, as both of Herkimer's games were decided by five points or less.

Early Saturday afternoon, the Generals defeated NJCAA Division II Monroe Community College 71-66.

It was an unconventional wire-to-wire win, with Herkimer going up by as many as 19 points in the first half, and securing a 41-26 halftime lead. 

Monroe came storming back with a barrage of three-pointers in the second half, trailing by a single point on three separate instances. 

With Herkimer up 66-64 with 30 seconds left, freshman guard Shykell Brown (Rochester) hit a three-pointer off a staggered screen to give them the five-point cushion needed for victory.

"Our whole mentality in the second half was to get a (defensive) stop," said Brown. "Once we got a (defensive) rebound, we had momentum, and I was feeling it. My teammates did a great job setting me up, and it felt great to put the game away."

Brown led both teams with 19 points and freshman guard Keyshawn Miller (Yonkers) added 16.

In the second game of the Philly Classic, Sullivan Community College defeated Niagara Community College 79-78.

In the middle of a misty Sunday afternoon, Herkimer lost to the No. 3team in NJCAA Div. II, Niagara CC 66-62.

In the 2020 Philly Classic Finale, Herkimer didn't lead until 5:17 left, and from there it became a tug-of-war. 

The teams exchanged leads five times in the final 4:31. 

With 30 seconds left and trailing by two both times, Herkimer fell victim to a charge call and turned the ball over on an inbounds play on its final two offensive plays of the game.

For the second consecutive day, Shykell Brown led both teams with 24 points. Jayden Stephens (Yonkers) came off the bench with 14 points for the Generals — who fall to 9-4.

Herkimer will play its third game in four days at Division II Genesee Community College. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.