MARCY, N.Y. – No argument could be made for the aesthetics of Friday night's game, but it is axiomatic that good teams know how to "win ugly." With a 61-54 win over SUNY Cobleskill (5-17, 3-11 NEAC) despite shooting only 29.5% from the field, you can mark the 2013-14 SUNYIT Women's Basketball Team (15-6, 12-1 NEAC) squarely in the "good" column.

The heavily favored Wildcats closed the first half up just 29-26 on the Fighting Tigers, who hung around thanks in part to Shelby Preston's 7 points and 8 rebounds in the first half. Preston finished the game with a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, both game-highs.

Leading the way for the Wildcats was sophomore Geena Gallo (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa), who recorded her own double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Gallo was the only player on either team to shoot 50% or better, finishing the game 7-of-14 from the field.

The game was still up in the air with under two minutes to go. Kaena Davenport knocked down a three-pointer from just left of the top of the key to pull the Fighting Tigers within two points, 56-54. With 1:08 to go, though, senior Abbey Hanehan (Stillwater, N.Y. / Stillwater) came up big in a spot where seniors are supposed to come up big. Along with most of the other players on the court, Hanehan did not have a good shooting night, but made a play when it counted. The 5-8 guard drove the lane on the right side of the paint, then spun back to the middle of the court before somehow twisting back for a layup on the right side of the hoop. The play gave SUNYIT some breathing room, up 58-54, and from there the Wildcats would be able to hold on for the win.

In a game that came down to defense, Deasia Goodson (Freeport, N.Y. / Freeport) made her presence felt, clogging up the middle of the court for the Fighting Tigers and recording 5 blocks on the night. It is the fifth game in which Goodson has recorded five or more blocks, and she is currently tied for the conference lead with an average of 3.4 blocks per game.

The Wildcats will have a day off before taking on Cazenovia in another home contest. Game time is scheduled for 3 pm on Sunday, to follow the men's game at 1 pm.