Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly Wildcats closed out the 2025-26 season with a hard-fought 64–55 loss to the Utica University Pioneers on Tuesday evening. With the defeat, the Wildcats end the season with a record
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SUNY Poly struck first in the opening minutes, as Alysa Jackson converted a layup in the paint off a defensive stop to give the Wildcats an early edge. Kayla Wilson followed with a strong finish inside to keep pace after Utica answered on the other end. The teams traded baskets through the midway point of the quarter, with Bryanna Lucas tying the game at 6–6 on a layup in the paint.
Utica gained momentum late in the period behind second-chance opportunities and interior finishes from Vanessa Hall and McKenzie Simmons. Jackson knocked down a pair of free throws and Lucas added another from the line to keep SUNY Poly within striking distance, but a late Pioneer push gave Utica a 15–12 advantage at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, Utica extended its lead with timely three-point shooting. Simmons connected from beyond the arc early in the frame, but Wilson answered with a three-pointer off an assist from Amiyah Ferebee. Alivia Turk drilled a triple to cut the deficit to one, 19–18, midway through the quarter.
The Pioneers responded with a 3-point barrage from Simmons and Madison Marusic, stretching the margin to nine. Jackson and Kelsey Meca sparked a Wildcat rally, converting back-to-back layups off steals to trim the gap to five. Isabella Kroll later buried a three-pointer off a Jackson assist, and Wilson added a jumper to bring SUNY Poly within four. However, a late Utica three from Carly Atty sent the Wildcats into halftime trailing 36–29.
Out of the break, both teams struggled with turnovers as defensive pressure intensified. Jackson provided a spark with a three-pointer and several strong drives to the basket, while Lucas recorded a key block and Lee controlled the glass defensively. Despite SUNY Poly cutting the deficit to six on multiple occasions, Utica capitalized on transition opportunities and closed the third quarter on a run to take a 47–37 lead into the final period.
In the fourth, the Wildcats mounted one final push. Amiyah Ferebee scored on a putback after multiple offensive rebounds to bring the score to 47–39. Jackson was aggressive attacking the rim, converting a pair of free throws and knocking down a three-pointer before adding another layup to cut the deficit to five at 53–48 with just over six minutes to play.
Wilson added a layup in the paint, and Lucas connected on a jumper to keep the pressure on. Turk later drained a three-pointer in the closing seconds to make it a five-point game. However, Utica converted key free throws down the stretch to seal the 64–55 victory.
