Women’s Basketball Drops Hard-Fought Tilt Versus SUNYIT
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wells (8-7, 3-3 NEAC) | 29 | 38 | 67 |
|
SUNY Poly (9-5, 6-1 NEAC) | 36 | 39 | 75 |
MARCY, N.Y. – Senior Ashley Roser (Taberg, N.Y.) scored 32 points en route to a 75-67 loss to the Wildcats from the SUNY Institute of Technology on Wednesday at the Campus Center Gym. With the loss, Wells drops to 8-7 overall on the season while evening their North Eastern Athletic Conference record at 3-3. The Wildcats successfully avenged their NEAC Semifinal playoff loss to the Express in 2012-13, improving to 9-5 on the year and to 6-1 in league play.
Roser added 12 rebounds to accompany her team-leading 32 points. Junior Kaitlynne Knapp (Port Byron, N.Y.) struck for 10 points and added six blocks in the loss. Sophomore Lindsay Achzet (Johnstown, N.Y.) and Knapp each posted three assists, tying for the team lead. As a team, Wells shot 26-for-68 from the floor, converting field goals at a 38.2% rate.
Wells and SUNYIT battled back and forth throughout the opening half. In total, the score was tied a whopping 10 times in the first 20 minutes alone. The host Wildcats, however, took the lead for good as Ashley Cox bombed back-to-back three-point baskets within one minute of each other near the two minute mark of the first half. SUNYIT never looked back, outscoring the Express by a 10-to-2 margin in the frame's final 2:09.
The Express would not possess the lead for the remainder of the game, despite cutting the score to 42-40 with 13:39 remaining in the second half. Junior Cassie Smythe (Eden, N.Y.) hit a clutch three-point basket to bring the Express back, but the Wildcats reestablished a seven point lead with a 5-0 run that included two missed free throws and a turnover by the Express.
SUNYIT was paced by Nijee Scott, a transfer student from Morrisville State College, who added 15 total points in the winning effort. Geena Gallo shot 5-for-10 from the floor while Lauren Knowles scored 12 points and added a team-best 10 rebounds.
Wells returns to action this Saturday, Jan. 25 as they host the Wildcats from Cazenovia College at 3:00 p.m. at the Frances Tarlton Farenthold Athletic Wing. Wells has won four-straight contests versus the Wildcats dating back to the 2011-12 season.
