MARCY, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly Wildcats are the 2021-22 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Champions! The Wildcats had to get through a talented Husson team to win their first Championship in the NAC. A big first quarter helped that happen as the Wildcats got out to a 12 point lead in the first 10 minutes. SUNY Poly kept momentum on their side, winning the scoring battle in each quarter to earn a 76-57 win and the NAC AQ into the NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Tournament. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:  

Molly Burdick took over the game early for SUNY Poly. She scored 10 points, had a pair of assists, and had a block in the first quarter to help SUNY Poly build to an early 20-12 lead. 

After shooting just 21% in the first, the Husson Eagles started to gain some steam in the second quarter thanks to solid production from their bench. Jordyn Lengle and Lacey Scanlon scored four points each, playing seven and eight minutes respectively. Makelyn Porter also scored four points. The Wildcats pivoted their game plan in the second quarter to feature their six-foot center Kierra Connor who had seven points in the second to help the Wildcats build their lead to 14. Connor went 3-4 from in the paint and went 1-2 from the free-throw line in the quarter. 

The Wildcats pulled further ahead in the third, building their lead up to 20 points with just under three minutes to play in the third. The Eagles would put together a 7-2 run to end the quarter to cut the deficit to 15 entering the final period.

With a solid margin to start the fourth, all the Wildcats needed to do was take care of the ball and play good defense. They did exactly that, turning the ball over just twice down the stretch while holding the Eagles to 11 points in the final quarter to earn their first-ever NAC Championship and their fifth Conference Championship and bid to the NCAA Tournament in the last six seasons.  

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: 

After the Championship game, the North Atlantic Conference announced the All-Tournament Team, as selected by the Coaches of the teams that advanced past the Quarterfinal round. 

Shanelle Borth, SUNY Canton,

Erianna Moore, Maine Maritime Academy, 

Megan Peach, Husson University

Vanessa Duarte, Husson University

Kierra Connor, SUNY Poly

Molly Burdick, SUNY Poly

Tournament MVP: Lyrik Jackson, SUNY Poly

NOTABLE STATISTICS:

• Lyrik Jackson was the Tournament MVP after another great performance for the Wildcats. The junior scored a game-high 25 points and had 11 rebounds to record her second double-double of the NAC Tournament. Jackson also had two assists and two steals. 

• Molly Burdick had a 21 point, 15 rebound double-double for the Wildcats. Her 15 rebounds, and three steals were both game-highs. Eight of her rebounds were offensive boards. She also had a team-high four assists. 

• Vanessa Duarte scored a team-high 21 points for the Husson Eagles. She also had a game-high five assists, three rebounds, and two steals. 

• Kierra Connor scored 18 points for Poly, had seven rebounds, and a block.   

• Husson's Megan Peach had an 18 point, 13 rebound double-double with three assists and a pair of blocks.  

• SUNY Poly shot 44% from the field, 17 % from three-point range, and 79% from the charity stripe. 

• The Wildcats won the rebounding battle 43-37 and dominated in the paint with a 32-12 advantage. 

• Husson Shot 34% from the field, 21% from three-point range, and 67% from the free-throw line.

• The Wildcat's largest lead of the game was 20 points, late in the third quarter. 

• Husson never led in the game. 

UP NEXT: 

With the win, SUNY Poly is awarded the North Atlantic Conference's AQ bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats will find out their opponent and destination during Monday's NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Selection Show. The Selection will be streamed live at NCAA.com. 

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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.