Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's basketball team used a strong second-half push and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch to secure a hard-fought 59–54 victory over the Elmira College Soaring Eagles on Friday night. The Wildcats are now 4-11 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SUNY Poly struck first in the opening quarter as Alysa Jackson finished a layup in the paint to open the scoring. The early minutes featured defensive intensity from both sides, with rebounds and blocks from Sanaa Lee and Kelsey Meca helping limit Elmira's chances. Alivia Turk came off the bench to score inside, and Jackson added a fastbreak layup following a steal to keep the Wildcats close. Despite a late three-pointer from Isabella Kroll, Elmira closed the quarter on a run, taking a 16–10 advantage after ten minutes.
The Wildcats responded in the second quarter with improved ball movement. Bryanna Lucas and Jackson each scored inside to cut into the deficit, while Lucas added another layup to pull SUNY Poly within two. Meca contributed at the free-throw line, and Turk knocked down a key three late in the half off a pass from Kayla Wilson. Elmira answered with timely baskets, but SUNY Poly went into the break trailing by just four, 29–25.
Elmira briefly extended its lead early in the third quarter with a series of baskets in transition, but SUNY Poly answered with resilience. Lucas scored in the paint and followed with a free throw, while Turk connected on back-to-back three-pointers to spark the offense. Amiyah Ferebee gave the Wildcats their first lead of the half with a layup, and Jackson added two free throws to cap a strong stretch. SUNY Poly carried a 43–39 lead into the fourth quarter after outscoring Elmira in the period.
The final quarter featured intense back-and-forth action as both teams traded baskets. Jackson and Kroll combined for key scores early, with Kroll hitting a jumper and a three to push the Wildcats' lead to six. Elmira continued to answer, cutting the deficit to two with under a minute remaining. SUNY Poly, however, stayed composed at the line. Jackson, Wilson, and Meca each converted critical free throws in the final seconds, while the defense held firm to seal the 59–54 win.
