Frank Speziale Photo

BINGHAMTON – The Seton Catholic Central Saints fought from Unadilla Valley’s five point advantage in the third quarter to take the lead. For the remainder of the STOP DWI Winter Classic Division-II semifinal game, the two teams battled until two free throws by Marcus Dyes gave the Saints the final lead of the game as they went on to win 54-53 Friday night.

The Storm’s Andrew Jackson took a contested look from about 15 feet as time expired but his jumper missed to hand UV a tough loss on the first night of the weekend.

Unadilla Valley took a 53-52 lead with 27 seconds remaining in the game when Wyatt Grey finished a layup.

Dyes two made foul shots came after a Saints missed shot from the corner led to an offensive rebound and put back attempt by the Seton stand-out. Dyes missed the layup but was fouled, sending him to line with 5.8 seconds remaining.

Trailing by five out of the halftime break, UV’s Jackson tallied nine points in first four minutes of the second half, all which came from behind the 3-point arc. His final 3-pointer came with 4:16 left in the third quarter and gave the Storm it’s first lead of the game.

Unadilla Valley continued to build on their lead and with 1:55 left in the third as Levi Rifanburg scored from inside the paint to make the score 44-39.

The Saints answered with a small run before the end of the quarter to tie the ball game up at 44-44 at the start of the final stanza.