MARCY, N.Y.- In their 4th game of the week, the SUNYIT Women's Basketball team (17-5, 13-1 NEAC) was able to overcome Cazenovia College (5-17, 5-8 NEAC) 74-51 in a hard fought NEAC battle. This marks the 9th straight victory for the Wildcats who have just 3 remaining regular season games. All 10 Wildcats were able to tally points in the effort.
Cazenovia was able to jump out to an early 6 point lead in the first half forcing the Wildcats into contested shots and causing turnovers. The tide quickly changed after a SUNYIT time out. The Wildcats went on a 16-1 run over the next 8 minutes, tightening up their defense and creating opportunities. Lauren Knowles (Salisbury Mills, N.Y. / Washingtonville) led the Wildcats charge with 15 first half points as they went into halftime up 35-19.
The Wildcats would never look back in the second half leading by as many as 31 points. Geena Gallo (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa) stepped up after a slow first half, tallying 12 of her 14 points in the second. Cazenovia was able to fight their way back to with 15 points, however a no look wrap around pass from Ashley Cox (Bronx, N.Y. / Bronx Center for Science and Math) to Lauren Knowles for a layup got the crowd up and took all momentum back for the Wildcats. Knowles finished the game with 18 points and 7 rebounds.
With the balance still somewhat in doubt, Abbey Hanehan (Stillwater, N.Y. / Stillwater) and Jennifer Bullock (Bronx, N.Y. / NYC Museum) delivered huge 3-pointers that proved to be too much to overcome. Hanehan would finish the game with 7 points and Bullock added 6.
Deasia Goodson (Freeport, N.Y. / Freeport) led the Wildcats on the boards, bringing down 13 rebounds to go with her 9 points on the game. Cazenovia was led by Kali Davis, and Erin O'Malley who both tallied 11 points in the game, as well as Mary Salo who had 15 rebounds and added 8 points.
The Wildcats are on the road Tuesday as they visit SUNY Canton in a non-conference showdown at 4 pm.
