Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's basketball team battled for 40 minutes but ultimately fell to the Keuka College Wolves, 72–61, on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Wildcats drop to 4-12 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Keuka jumped out to an early advantage in the opening quarter, capitalizing on SUNY Poly turnovers and strong interior play. Mary Cotter and Brooke Burd set the tone early, with Cotter knocking down a three and finishing inside as Keuka built a 7–0 lead. SUNY Poly responded behind Alysa Jackson, who sparked the offense with a fastbreak layup and later added a traditional three-point play. Kelsey Meca and Alivia Turk chipped in from the free-throw line, while Sanaa Lee made her presence felt defensively with steals and rebounds. However, Keuka closed the quarter on a strong run, highlighted by a late three from Lillian Mullen, taking a 21–11 lead after one.
The Wildcats showed resilience in the second quarter, tightening up defensively and finding offensive rhythm. Isabella Kroll drilled a three off a Kayla Wilson assist, and Jackson added a triple of her own to cut into the deficit. SUNY Poly forced several turnovers, with Jackson and Meca recording steals, but Keuka continued to answer with points in the paint. Emiley Anderson and Mullen scored key baskets late in the half as Keuka maintained control. SUNY Poly went into the break trailing 30–20 after a physical first half.
SUNY Poly came out strong in the third quarter, using aggressive play to shift momentum. Jackson scored inside and followed with a free throw, while Wilson and Turk attacked the paint to keep the Wildcats within striking distance. Kroll knocked down a timely three, and Bryanna Lucas added both a three-pointer and a layup as SUNY Poly trimmed the deficit to five. Keuka responded with back-to-back threes from Mullen and steady production from Emilee Bacon, but SUNY Poly's persistence kept the game close. Keuka held a 48–41 edge heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter featured intense back-and-forth action. Jackson continued to lead the Wildcats offensively, scoring multiple baskets in the paint, while Wilson added a key layup following a steal. SUNY Poly cut the deficit to as few as four midway through the quarter, but Keuka capitalized at the free-throw line, converting several fastbreak opportunities to regain separation. Anderson and Mullen were especially composed in the final minutes, combining for clutch free throws. Despite late baskets from Lucas and Jackson, SUNY Poly was unable to close the gap, and Keuka sealed the 72–61 victory from the line.
