MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's basketball team lost a heartbreaker in overtime on Saturday 64-63 to SUNY Cortland. The game was tight for the entire 45 minutes of play, coming down to a last second layup by Cortland which sealed up the win. The Wildcats are now 5-3 this season, the Red Dragons improve to 4-5.
TURNING POINTS:
A pair of made free throws by SUNY Poly's Kiersten Leos (Camden, N.Y.) gave the Wildcats a three point lead with 13 seconds left in the fourth. The Wildcats, having a pair of fouls to give, ran the clock down to just five seconds with some strategic fouls. On the inbound pass, Cortland's Shannon McGuire got the ball, used a screen at the top of the key and drained a well defended, game tying three pointer as time expired to send the game into overtime.
McGuire would play the role of hero again in overtime. Again, the Wildcat's Kiersten Leos nailed a pair of free throws to give the Wildcats the lead in the final minute of the period. After a missed three pointer by Cortland and an untimely turnover by the Wildcats, Cortland had an opportunity to win the game. With seven seconds in regulation, Cortland gave the ball to Shannon McGuire who drove the baseline, beating two defenders to hit a go-ahead up-and-under layup. The Wildcats had an opportunity for the win, but the go ahead layup in the last second of play fell short giving Cortland the win.
NOTABLES:
- Senior forward Rylie Smith (St. Johnsville, N.Y.) led all players with 18 points. Smith knocked down a game high four 3-pointers and shot 75% from the field. She also pulled down eight rebounds and had an assist.
- Taylor Aybar (Woodside, N.Y.) played a solid game on both ends for the Wildcats. Aybar scored 16 points, had five rebounds, a game high five steals, and three assists.
- Molly Burdick (Vestal, N.Y.) rounded out the double digit scorers for the Wildcats. The first year Wildcat had 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block.
- Shannon McGuire was the hero of the game for Cortland, knocking down two clutch shots. She scored a team high 17 points on 7-12 from the field.
- Cortland's Alaina Lynch had 14 points, shooting 55% from the field.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats will close out their 2018 home game schedule with a non-conference match up with the Medaille College Mavericks. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 PM tip-off at SUNY Poly's Campus Center Gym on Wednesday, December 19th.