UTICA, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly women's basketball team dropped their final NAC contest of the year on Friday night 60-53 against Eastern Nazarene. With a spot in playoffs on the line for both teams, the Wildcats kept the game close the entire night but weren't able to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit. The Wildcats will wrap up their season tomorrow against SUNY Morrisville, which will be played as a non-conference game.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Lions go out to an early lead on Friday night in a game that included four lead changes. Kayla Taylor hit a three-pointer for the Lions, who would make four total for the game. Kelsey Meca would hit two free throws to get the Wildcats on the board, and the first quarter would remain tight the remainder of the way. The Lions would take a 17-14 lead going into the second quarter. 

In the second quarter, both teams would struggle to score the ball, with a total of just 22 points being scored in the quarter. Alysa Jackson would make a jump shot with 1:21 left in the half to cut the Lions' lead to 26-25 before Sabanna Berrios sunk two free throws to give the Lions a 28-25 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Wildcats would take their first lead of the game on an Alysa Jackson three-pointer with 5:23 left in the third quarter to give the Wildcats a 33-32 lead. The Lions would go on a run from there, however, ending the quarter on a 10-2 run to take a 42-35 lead going into the final quarter.

In an exciting fourth quarter, the Wildcats would make it a one-basket game on a Patrica Vanlue layup with 2:50 left to cut the Lions lead to 49-47. The Lions would answer with baskets of their own, and make key free throws at the end of the game, however, to hold on to the 60-53 victory.

The Wildcats will be back in action tomorrow as they host SUNY Morrisville for senior day.