JAMAICA, N.Y. – Free throw aren't the most exciting part of basketball, but they are a crucial part of the game—and the York College men's basketball team connected on 24-of-26 shots from the charity stripe en route to defeating SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 74-59, on Tuesday night.
 
The 24 made free throws and .923 percentage were both season-highs for the Cardinals.  This helped offset a dismal shooting night from three-point range from the Cardinals, who were 0-14 from long distance.
 
York was never really threatened in the game, as they led from start to finish.  SUNY Poly kept it close for most of the first half and trailed by just two points (19-17) with 7:10 to go.  But the Cardinals erupted over the final seven minutes, going on a 25-9 run to close the first half with a 44-26 advantage.  From there, the game was never in doubt, as York led by as many as 25 in the second half. 
 
Cyril Reid led York with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Omar St. John chipped in 14 points and five assists. Jaron Williams added 12 points and eight rebounds and Franklin Green came off the bench to score ten points.
 
SUNY Poly was led by Ryan McCarthy, who had a game-high 19 points.  Kaleel Johnson chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds. SUNY Poly falls to 2-6 with the loss.
 
York is now 7-3 on the season and will be idle for a couple weeks with finals and the holiday break approaching.  The Cardinals return to action on December 29 with a road contest against the College of Mount Saint Vincent at 6 p.m.