Women’s Basketball – Lady Lakers Down Herkimer County, 61-50
CANANDAIGUA – Casi Strait and Kelli McCauley, each labeled as a pair of solid guards for Finger Lakes, led the Lady Lakers to a 61-50 home victory on Tuesday over the Herkimer County CC Lady Generals. The game marked the second time in which both teams have met this season. FLCC (3-4) fell to the Lady Generals back on 11/1 on Herkimer's court – 53-50. Last night's loss was the second of the season for the Lady Generals (3-2).
Strait, scoring 18 of the Lady Lakers 27 first half points, finished the contest with a game-high 22 points (off 10-20 shooting from the field). In addition, she also doled out 5 assists.
McCauley, who nearly recorded a double double, scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the win. Her point total came with four three-point baskets attached to it.
Tuesday's contest, with the outcome aside, consisted of two quality teams going head-to-head. The first half was a neck-and-neck race as the Lady Lakers outscored Herkimer by just a point – 27-26.
Finger Lakes, who shot just 27% from the field in the opening 20 minutes versus Herkimer's 36%, remained in the game thanks to Strait's hot shooting half. After a mediocre start offensively, FLCC would stir its shooting ways in the right direction come half number two.
In a game where the Lady Lakers miraculously didn't attempt a single free throw, the need for points from the charity stripe were not dire – as the hosts came out post halftime clicking on all cylinders offensively.
In the second half, FLCC's slim lead grew to a double-digit lead thanks to its 56% (15-27) shooting.
McCauley sparked the offense in the second 20 minutes by converting on 6 of 10 shot attempts. In the second half, she delivered 15 points – 9 of which came from beyond the arc.
In the final half, the Lady Lakers outscored the Lady Generals – 34-24.
Adding a solid offensive game for FLCC was guard Julia Pagano. The sophomore had 11 points and was the leader in assists on the hardwood last night. In the 37 minutes that she played, Pagano passed out 7 assists.
Sophomore forward Britany Monpere pitched in around the glass for the Lady Lakers by recording a game-high 11 rebounds.
In a losing effort, Herkimer received 12 points each out of Allie Webb and Whitney Brown.
The Lady Lakers can credit solid rebounding and great passing as a pair of reasons for their victory. On the night, they out rebounded Herkimer – 44-31. In terms of assists, the home team also took that category as it dished out a team total of 19 dimes as opposed to the Lady Generals 9.
Herkimer, not to be overlooked by the rebounding and assist categories, did an excellent job of grabbing lose balls as it notched 12 team steals in the road game. The Lady Generals also showed that they are a disciplined group of athletes as they committed just 6 team fouls in 40 minutes worth of playtime.
Overall, despite the score, both teams displayed a hard-fought, well-played battle.
The Lady Lakers, who have now won back-to-back games, will look to add to their current two-game winning streak in their next meeting, which is scheduled for Sunday (11/18) when they take on Schenectady County CC at home. Game time tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.