MARCY, N.Y. – Despite a 19-point lead in the first half, historians of the rivalry between the SUNYIT (13-6, 10-1 NEAC) and Keuka (9-8, 8-4 NEAC) women's basketball teams could bet Monday night's game would come down to a possession or two, which is exactly what happened in SUNYIT's thrilling two-point overtime victory.

Despite being down six points with under a minute to go in regulation, the Storm were able to tie the game on a three-pointer by Danielle Gravel with just 4 seconds remaining. In the overtime period, however, SUNYIT answered with a dramatic three of its own courtesy of Ashley Cox (Bronx, N.Y. / Bronx Center for Science and Math). With 18 seconds to go and the Wildcats trailing 75-74, Cox buried a three from the right wing off a pass from Abbey Hanehan (Stillwater, N.Y. / Stillwater). The Storm called timeout with 10 seconds left, and on the ensuing possession appeared to have a decent look with Katie Stuart driving the lane on the right side. Sticking right with her, though, was Cox, who forcefully blocked Stuart's attempted layup out of bounds with 3 seconds to go, possibly saving the Wildcats' lead. The play brought thunderous applause to the Campus Center Gymnasium, and after the in-bound pass the resultant desperation attempt by Keuka was blocked again, this time by Tierney McGlynn (Watervliet, N.Y. / Watervliet), as time expired.

Cox finished with 12 points off the bench, and hit three 3-pointers including the big one in overtime.

The theatrics late in the game weren't enough to overshadow a brilliant performance by the senior Abbey Hanehan. The 5-8 guard's 22 points led all scorers, and marked her second highest total of the season to-date. An all-around player, Hanehan also finished with 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Coming up big on defense for the Wildcats was Deasia Goodson (Freeport, N.Y. / Freeport). The 6-foot-1 forward grabbed 17 rebounds, her second-highest total of the season. Goodson added 7 blocks to that, which amazingly is just her third-highest total of the season.

Judging only by the first half, one might've thought the Wildcats would run away with things. SUNYIT was lighting it up from the outside in the early going, as even Hanehan got in on the action. Hanehan played all 20 minutes of the first period and finished with 13 points. Not usually known as a long-ball shooter, Hanehan knocked down 3-of-4 from behind the three-point arc.

Later in the half, Cox got in on the action with a pair of threes. Her second three-pointer gave the Wildcats a 25-11 lead and forced a Keuka timeout. SUNYIT's largest lead of the half came with 3:04 remaining, when a pair of free throws by Geena Gallo (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa) gave SUNYIT a 19 point lead, up 38-19.

At that point, however, Keuka guard Jessica Bandrowski showcased what has made her a well-known thorn in the side of Wildcat fans for nearly four years. The 5-5 guard netted a layup, and then followed it up with a steal and another layup. On Keuka's next offensive position, Bandrowski knocked down a 3-pointer to finish off a 7-0 run all on her own. The Storm would close the half down 11 points, 39-28.

Bandrowski finished the game with 19 points to lead the Storm, including a big three-pointer from the left corner with 25 seconds left in regulation that pulled Keuka within one, 68-67. Forced to foul on the next possession, sophomore guard Geena Gallo made a pair of clutch free throws that ended up giving SUNYIT a crucial three-point lead, as it turned out.

The turning point in the game came in the second half when the Storm opened up in a full court press. Keuka kept up the pressure for most of the second half, and was able to cause 23 SUNYIT turnovers, 15 of which came in the second period or overtime. One of the few to handle the pressure well was Emily Alicea (Mohegan Lake, N.Y. / Lakeland). Alicea had one of her best games of the year, scoring a season-high 14 points on 4 of 7 shooting. In particular, Alicea made a pair of nice plays in the second half to help stop a Keuka run – hitting a couple free throws and coming up with a huge offensive rebound and put-back as the shot clock wound down on a big possession for the 'Cats.

SUNYIT will remain at home for a date with Morrisville State on Wednesday. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm, to follow the men's game at 5:00 pm.