MARCY, N.Y. – After an inauspicious start, the SUNY Poly Women's Basketball Team (15-7, 13-2 NEAC) roared back to take down the NEAC South Division-leading Lancaster Bible College Chargers (17-4, 14-2 NEAC) in a convincing 61-47 win Friday night. With the victory, the Wildcats are in charge of their own destiny on their quest to get the #1-seed and play host for the upcoming NEAC Tournament.

You'd find little argument prior to the game that the Wildcat's leading scorer Geena Gallo (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa) would need to show up in a big way for SUNY Poly to compete against a Charger team that had won 12 straight. Gallo was up for the task and more, pouring in a game-high 21 points on 9 of 15 from the field. The junior forward sank shot after shot in the paint, each basket seemingly more difficult than the last.

The double-digit victory is even more impressive considering the Chargers held the Wildcats scoreless through the first seven minutes of the game, taking a 6-0 lead.

Molly MacLachlan (Marcellus, N.Y. / Marcellus) finally put the Wildcats on the board with a nice shot-fake and a driving layup on the right side. From there the SUNY Poly team seemed to get their wits about them. They responded with a 17-6 run, culminating with a brilliant three-point play by Gallo to put SUNY Poly up 17-12. Gallo received a pass from Emily Alicea (Mohegan Lake, N.Y. / Lakeland) in transition. The junior forward put the ball on the floor once then jumped, hung in the air, and finished despite the contact from Lancaster forward Shanice Smith.

The play was indicative of the Wildcat's success in the first half, as the home team was able to induce the Chargers' leading scorer Aubrey Folger into three fouls, limiting her to just 10 minutes in the first half. Smith also picked up three, although it didn't stop the senior from terrorizing the Wildcats in the paint, grabbing 10 rebounds in the first half alone.

One of the key strategic shifts in the game seemed to be when SUNY Poly went to a full court press. The 'Cats were able to get a few steals and some easy buckets, but more importantly they were able to speed the Chargers up on offense, compelling the visitors into rushed shots and quick possessions.

Perhaps the main storyline of the game, however, was how systematic the Wildcats play in the second half appeared. There were no major swings of momentum – the home team simply ran their sets, executed, and played solid defense. SUNY Poly pushed its lead to ten with 15:59 to play on a Barrie Brooks (Utica, N.Y. / Utica-Proctor) three-pointer, and didn't allow the Chargers to get closer than seven the rest of the game.

The Wildcats seemed to have an answer every time the visitors threatened to make a run – much of that was due to MacLachlan, who found her stroke to knock down three 3-pointers in the second period. MacLachlan had a terrific game to complement Gallo, recording a big double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds – the latter a game-high.

Over on the other bench, Aubrey Folger led with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Shanice Smith also had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, however most her damage occurred in the first half.

The home team went with a short bench in Friday's contest, however Erika Charbonneau (Boonville, N.Y. / Adirondack) and Tierney McGlynn (Watervliet, N.Y. / Watervliet) contributed good minutes. Charbonneau had 6 rebounds and 9 points, including a great driving layup to beat the buzzer in the first half, a play that clearly gave SUNY Poly some momentum heading into the locker room.

McGlynn, for her part, led the team with 4 assists.

The Wildcats now have the inside track for the NEAC #1 seed, however they will have to take care of business with three home games still remaining. They play again tomorrow against the Nittany Lions of Penn State Berks. Game time is slated for 1:00 pm.