Rams Fall in Conference Opener to Golden Eagles

St. Joseph's - 67, Farmingdale State - 55

Farmingdale, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State men's basketball team fell to St. Joseph's, 67-55, in their Skyline Conference opener tonight in Farmingdale, N.Y. After a 30-30 halftime score, the Golden Eagles (4-1, 1-0) held the Rams to 28-percent shooting in the second half to pull away with the conference victory. Farmingdale now stands at 0-3, 0-1 in the Skyline.

The Rams trailed by two points, 48-46, with 12:22 remaining in the game before St. Joe's used a 7-0 run over the next 2:30 to hold a 55-46 advantage with nine minutes left to play. Farmingdale sophomore guard James Ockimey (Hempstead, N.Y./Uniondale) hit a three from the top of the arc to cut the deficit to six points, but the Golden Eagles held on for the win.

St. Joe's was led by sophomore guard Chris Jimenez (Huntington Station, N.Y./St. Anthony's) and sophomore center Shahab Syed (Huntington, N.Y./St. Anthony's) with 17 points each, while senior center Sean Hyde (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd) pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds. Junior guard Alvin Dennis (Bellport, N.Y./Bellport) added 11 points and four assists.

Rams junior guard Shahee Martin (Queens, N.Y./West Hempstead) led the team with 14 points and eight rebounds, while freshman guard Ricco Oliver (Brooklyn, N.Y./Boys and Girls) scored a career-high 12 points (4-for-4 from behind the arc in the first half). Freshman forward Alby Skrelji (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hastings) had 11 points, going 5-for-8 from the floor, with three blocks.

Farmingdale now travels to New Jersey City on Thursday, December 3rd for a non-conference double-header with the women's team. The women play at 6:00 p.m., followed by the men's game at 8:00 p.m.

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