SYRACUSE – Otselic Valley has shown the ability to make up ground, but even the Vikings have their limits.

New York Mills won its third Class D title in five seasons, and beat OV for the second time in three years, 70-62, in the Section III D-2 finals Saturday afternoon at Manley Field House.

Fred Russ, a burly 260-pound sophomore, put back an offensive rebound and converted a three-point play with just over a minute left to secure the Marauders’ victory. Russ finished with 22 points for Mills, who jumped out to 20-4 lead in the first quarter, and led 37-24 at halftime. Midway through the third quarter, the lead was pushed to as many as 18.

“I just feel we got too far behind early in the game,” said OV coach Dave Loomis. “We worked hard and struggled like crazy to get back in the game. We just couldn’t stop Russ. He’s a big kid and a talented kid.”

Edgardo Colon and Matt Welch scored 12 points apiece for New York Mills, who held a significant size advantage over the Vikings.

OV worked itself back in the game with transition baskets, many of which came off of pressure defense. David Cerasani led the Vikes (19-4) with 23 points, Brad Wentworth added 16, the Justin Shapley 15.