Women’s Basketball – Finger Lakes Falters Late, Falls to Schenectady, 62-60
CANANDAIGUA – The Lady Lakers (3-5), who seemingly looked like they were on their way to victory on Sunday, fell to the Schenectady County CC Lady Royals yesterday by a score of 62-60.
Finger Lakes, despite shooting just 26% from the field, built what appeared to be a strong lead late in the second half behind the scoring efforts of Casi Strait and Kelli McCauley. Strait scored a game-high 20 points while McCauley dropped in 18 – but despite their solid offensive efforts – the Lady Lakers couldn't muster up the victory.
The first half resembled that of a neck-and-neck battle as the visiting Lady Royals held a slim, 32-31 lead after minute 20 concluded. Of McCauley's 18 points, 11 of them were had prior to recess. Joining her in the 11-point first half scoring column was Schenectady's Monique Pucci.
Strait scored 9 of her 20 points in the first half.
Pucci helped the Lady Royals build their halftime lead thanks to a 4-8 effort from the field.
First half shooting favored Schenectady – 41% to 27%.
Shooting aside, what kept Finger Lakes in the contest prior to intermission was its ability to defend and rebound. In the half, they grabbed 23 rebounds all while notching six steals and three blocks.
The Lady Royals, in the first 20 minutes, totaled 17 rebounds. They did however; match the Lady Lakers in the steals department with six thefts of their own.
The second half, like the first, delivered another one-point difference in terms of scoring between the two teams. The Lady Royals, in the games' final half, outscored Finger Lakes – 30-29.
The Lady Lakers gathered some momentum post recess thanks in large part to their ability to deliver on defense yet again. In spite of the lack luster shooting day, Finger Lakes hung in the contest by executing well on the defensive end of the gymnasium. In the second half, as a team, they notched 24 rebounds, nine steals, and five blocks.
The Lady Lakers established a decent-size lead late in the second half, but couldn't hold on as the Lady Royals went on a hot shooting spree down the stretch (in the games' final 5 minutes). Needless to say, their shooting is what would propel them to the road victory.
In a losing effort, the Lady Lakers delivered the leading rebounder of the day in forward Britany Monpere. The sophomore finished the afternoon with a game-high 14 boards (7 of which were offensive). In addition, Monpere contributed 6 points, four steals, and four blocks (game-high). All of her efforts came in 35 minutes worth of playtime.
Adding a quality game off of the bench for Finger Lakes was Julie Brooks. The sophomore forward pitched in with 6 points, 9 rebounds, five steals (game-high), and three blocks in the 24 minutes that she gave the Lady Lakers.
In addition to their point totals, Strait and McCauley grabbed a hold of 8 rebounds and 6 rebounds respectively. McCauley's 18 points came with a game-high 3 three-point buckets. She finished the game 3-6 from three.
Heading the assists column for Finger Lakes was Julia Pagano. The sophomore guard racked up a team-high 4 dimes in 30 minutes worth of action.
On the winning end, Pucci finished the afternoon with a team-high 17 points.
Scoring 14-point and 12-point games respectively for the Lady Royals were Jordyn Funk and Samantha Hall. Both of these aforementioned players also each recorded 10 rebounds apiece.
Pucci and Funk registered their quality day's coming off of the bench.
Adding a game-high 5 assists for Schenectady was Tierney McGlynn.
The Lady Lakers will now endure an extended break for the Thanksgiving holiday. They will return to the court on 11/29 where they will take on Alfred State College on the road. That game is slated to get underway at 5:30 p.m.