Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's basketball team opened their 2024-25 season with a 45-37 loss to the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs on Saturday. Sophomore Alysa Jackson led the Wildcats with 16 points, while freshman Sanaa Lee grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. The defeat leaves the Wildcats at 0-1 early in the season.

How It Happened:

The game started with both teams exchanging baskets in a tightly contested first quarter. A couple of three-pointers and key free throws gave the Wildcats a narrow 10-7 lead at the end of the period.

Offense was hard to come by in the second quarter, as neither team shot above 22 percent. Alysa Jackson and Maria Bacigalupo were the only two Wildcats to score in the frame, helping SUNY Poly build an 18-16 lead heading into halftime.

The Mustangs came out strong in the third quarter, shooting nearly 60 percent from the floor and scoring 20 points. Four of their six three-point attempts found the mark, while the Wildcats struggled from beyond the arc, missing all four of their attempts. Heading into the final quarter, SUNY Poly trailed 36-28 but remained within striking distance.

Despite doubling up the Mustangs in shot attempts during the fourth quarter, the Wildcats couldn't find their rhythm offensively. SUNY Poly couldn't capitalize on opportunities late in the game and ultimately fell 45-37.