CLINTON, N.Y. – The SUNY Polytechnic Women's Basketball Team (1-2) was downed by the Continentals of Hamilton College (3-3) on Saturday afternoon, 58-43.
The home team used an 18-8 run over the final eight-and-a-half minutes of the first half to go into the locker room up 30-18. The run would amount to the lion's share of the Continental's separation in the game, as they only outscored the Wildcats by three in the second half.
Sam Graber led all players in points, scoring 18 on 6-for-14 shooting while pulling down 8 rebounds. The Continentals shot 40% from the field on the day while holding SUNY Poly to 34%.
For SUNY Poly it was Lauren Knowles (Salisbury Mills, N.Y. / Washingtonville) who led with 14 points and 11 rebounds, her first double-double of the year.
The Wildcats struggled against a stingy Continental defense, committing 23 turnovers on the day. For its part SUNY Poly got Hamilton to cough up the ball 19 times, but the Wildcat turnovers appeared more punitive, leading to run outs and easy baskets for the Continentals.
Emily Alicea (Mohegan Lake, N.Y. / Lakeland) provided a spark for the 'Cats in the second half, scoring all 10 of her points in the second half while knocking down a pair of three-pointers and picking up 2 steals. She also finished as the only Wildcat starter not to commit a turnover on the day.
The Wildcats will begin league play next weekend, traveling first to NEAC opponent Wells College for a Saturday, December 6th pairing. Game time is scheduled for 12:00 pm.