(UPDATED) STAC BOYS BASKETBALL: OWEGO BATTLES PAST VESTAL AT SIBLEY TOURNAMENT (December 5, 2025)

Tioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — Owego gave up a halftime lead early in the third quarter, but came back to defeat Vestal, 53-50, in the first round of the Charlie Sibley Memorial Boys Basketball Tournament here Friday.

The Golden Bears pumped out 19 points in the third period to go ahead, 41-35, heading into the final eight minutes of action.

The River Hawks' defense stepped up in the final frame, holding Vestal's top two scorers to a combined four points.

At the other end of the court, Calvin Smith hit five of six foul shots in the fourth quarter and Duke Snyder tallied seven points.

Kingston Brainard canned a 3-pointer to give the River Hawks their first lead of the night, 9-8, at 3:33 of the first quarter and Smith’s trey at 1:35 of the second quarter helped Owego go into halftime with a 23-22 edge.

Snyder led four River Hawks in double figures with 15 points. Carter Rieg added 14, Smith had 13 and Brainard tacked on 11.

"Duke Snyder scored all his points in the second half while Atlas Boland played some stellar defense down the stretch," coach Chris Evans said.

The Golden Bears received double-digit efforts from Evan Webb and Alex Scully with Webb netting 14 points.

"Our Free throw situation is, again, extremely perplexing," Evans said. "We have some really good shooters. I think we will be fine in that area."

Owego will play Candor in the championship game Saturday at 7 p.m.

——————

PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

Print Friendly Version