Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's basketball team opened its 2025–26 season in front of their home crowd, falling 66–50 to SUNY Oneonta in non-conference play. Despite a strong first-half effort and a late push in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats were unable to overcome a third-quarter surge from the Red Dragons. The Wildcats open their season with a record of 1-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SUNY Poly started the game trading baskets with Oneonta through an energetic opening quarter highlighted by hot shooting from beyond the arc. Jackson knocked down three triples in the period, including a pair in quick succession midway through the quarter to keep the Wildcats within striking distance. Bryanna Lucas added a three-pointer of her own and Sanaa Lee contributed from the free-throw line, but Oneonta used timely perimeter shooting from Kayla Beaudoin and Lidia Boucher to take a 24–17 lead after one.
The Wildcats clawed back in the second quarter, piecing together an 8–2 run fueled by a corner three from Kayla Wilson and a layup from Lucas to tie the game at 26. Isabella Kroll later hit three free throws to give SUNY Poly its first lead of the night, 31–29, with just over two minutes left in the half. Oneonta answered with a late push, however, Beaudoin and Boucher combined for key buckets to send the Red Dragons into halftime trailing by just two, 31–29.
The third quarter proved decisive. Oneonta came out strong, using interior scoring from Carlie Young and Megan Desrats to quickly erase the deficit and seize momentum. A 12–2 run midway through the frame stretched the Red Dragons' lead to double digits as they found rhythm in transition. SUNY Poly struggled to convert on the offensive end, and Oneonta carried a 53–40 advantage into the fourth.
In the final quarter, the Wildcats got a quick spark from Jackson, who drilled another three and set up Kelsey Meca for a fast-break layup to cut the deficit to 10. However, Oneonta's balanced offense continued to click and would eventually seal the victory down the stretch.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats will hit the road for the first time this season to play in the Keystone College Tip-Off Tournament on November 14th against Keystone College at 5:00 P.M.
