MARCY, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly women's basketball team beat Cazenovia on Friday night in the quarterfinal round of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship Tournament. The Wildcats started hot, outsourcing Caz 20-11 in the first quarter, and used that momentum to win handily and advance with a 70-42 win. The Wildcats are now 18-6 this season and are on their way to play for a Divisional Championship and a spot in the NAC Championship game next weekend. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

Kierra Connor set the tone early for the Wildcats, establishing the inside game with strength and efficiency. Connor led all players in the first quarter with eight points after knocking down all four shots that she took. The Wildcats changed up the pace in the second quarter, stretching out the defense with some three-point shooting from Sophie Wittenbeck who knocked down a pair of triples in the second. The 32-15 lead at the half ended up growing to a 34 point lead early in the fourth to ensure that the Wildcats would secure the win. 

NOTABLE STATS: 

• The Wildcats dominated the paint, outsourcing Cazenovia 40-22 inside and outrebounding Caz 49-22. 

• SUNY Poly moved the ball well, collecting 21 assists as a team. 

• Despite the loss, Cazenovia led the turnover battle and shot an outstanding 90% from the charity stripe. 

• Lyrik Jackson led all scorers with 20 points. She also had 16 rebounds, seven assists, and a pair of steals. 

• Sophie Wittenbeck continued her hot streak with a 16 point game. 

• Kierra Connor had a 12 point, 11 rebound double-double, and went 5-6 from the field. 

• Molly Burdick scored 16 points, had seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals. 

• Mackenzie Bennett scored a team-high 16 points for Cazenovia.

• Arrianna Henry and Riley Miner each scored wight points for Caz. 

UP NEXT: 

The Wildcats will host the semifinal round on Saturday, February 19th at 2:00 PM. The Wildcats will match up with the SUNY Canton Kangaroos who beat SUNY Cobleskill on a thrilling buzzer-beating three-pointer in Friday's quarterfinal round. The Wildcats have a 2-0 edge in the season series with the Roos. 

*************************************************************************************************************

SUNY Poly is New York's globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world's most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.