Women’s Basketball Drops Season Finale, Looks Ahead To Playoffs

AURORA, N.Y. – Having already clinched a berth in the North Eastern Athletic Conference playoffs, all 14 members of the Wells College women's basketball team saw action in a 59-47 loss to the Wildcats of the SUNY Institute of Technology on Sunday. With the loss, Wells wraps up their regular season with an 18-7 record (12-2 NEAC) while the Wildcats complete their season with a 12-13 overall record and a 7-8 mark in league play.

Sophomore Lindsay Achzet (Johnstown, N.Y.) led the Express with eight total points to accompany five rebounds. Senior Ashley Roser (Taberg, N.Y.) posted a team-leading 15 total rebounds while junior Kaitlynne Knapp (Port Byron, N.Y.) threw up six blocks to lead both teams in that category.

A three-point basket by junior Cassie Smythe (Eden, N.Y.) with 3:45 expired in the game placed Wells ahead by a game-high five points in the early goings. The Wildcats, however, rebounded to take the lead for good following a foul shot from Deasia Goodson with 12:22 left in the first half. Goodson's first foul shot elevated the Wildcats to a 10-9 lead and the guests went on to score the game's next 12 points to take a commanding lead.

Trailing by a 37-29 margin exiting halftime, the Express were able to cut the lead to two points, 39-37, following an Anita Babb (Auburn, N.Y.) layup with 16:25 left in regulation time. After an Achzet layup with 14:07 left in the second half, the Wildcats scored the game's next 11 points and held the Express without a single point from 14:07 to 6:34. An Ashley Cox three-point basket elevated the Wildcats to a game-high 18 point lead, 59-41, with 4:08 left in the game.

Abbey Hanahan led all players with 15 total points while also leading the squad in rebounding with eight boards. Geena Gallo joined Hanahan in double-digit point scoring, striking for 12 of her own. Lauren Knowles added nine points for SUNYIT.

The Express return to action this Saturday, Mar. 1 as they face-off against an opponent to be determined in the 2014 North Eastern Athletic Conference semifinals. Stay tuned to http://www.wells-express.com for the latest information about postseason schedules and results.