FLCC Downs Cayuga, Will Now Play in the MSAC Championship Semi-Finals

CANANDAIGUA – Finger Lakes CC – carrying a 13-2 record over its last 15 games heading into Tuesday's MSAC Championship quarter-final matchup with Cayuga CC – came into action facing off with the Lady Spartans for the third time this season. The Lady Lakers – who swept their two-game regular season series with Cayuga – picked up their third win over the Lady Spartans in 2012-13 by defeating them on their own gym floor at Putt Moore Court last night by a score of 64-35.

Tuesday's conference playoff contest consisted of Finger Lakes scampering out to an early first half lead of 6-0. The Lady Spartans – citing a cold shooting night from the court – didn't register their first field goal until the clock had 12:55 remaining on it in the first half. The Lady Lakers – who won in wire-to-wire fashion – built up a double-digit halftime lead by shooting 53 percent from the field in the games' first twenty minutes.

The Lady Lakers – who held a 38-13 halftime lead – were led by the hot shooting hand of Casey Dean in the first half. The freshman guard – who played 18 minutes prior to intermission – scored 12 first half points behind a 6-10 shooting effort. In those 18 minutes, she was a perfect 6-6 from two-point territory.

Also playing a key role in helping Finger Lakes establish a twenty-five point halftime lead was Casi Strait. The two guard – in twenty first half minutes – registered 13 points on 5-8 shooting.

Finger Lakes would go on to outscore Cayuga in the second half – 26-22. The Lady Spartans – citing a great team effort out of its roster of six – showed no signs of quit in the forty-minute contest.

The Lady Lakers – who were led by Dean's and Strait's offensive performances in the first half – were led in the second half in the scoring department by a different teammate – that being Kelli McCauley.

McCauley – a sophomore – scored 11 second half points for the hosts. She would finish the night with 13 points on 6-9 shooting.

Strait and Dean concluded the game with 15-point and 14-point efforts respectively. Dean – in addition to her scoring – recorded 9 rebounds.  

Finger Lakes – who controlled the glass – 43-34 – was led in the rebounding department by Jordan Smith. The Lyons, NY resident pulled down a game-high 18 rebounds in 34 minutes. Her 18 boards tied a personal career high.  

Finger Lakes point guard Julia Pagano chipped in with 8 points, 5 assists (game-high), and 4 steals (game-high) in the win.

For Cayuga – it was led in the scoring department by China Agnew. The sophomore – who played all forty minutes – scored a team-high 18 points for the visitors. Her 18 points came with a game-high 4 three's attached to them. Agnew – to go along with her scoring – contributed a team-high 9 rebounds.

Adding 7 points and 6 points respectively for Cayuga were Shanna Shaff and Latina Smith.

Finger Lakes – with the win – will now play in the MSAC Championship semi-finals – which are scheduled to take place this Friday (2/22) amidst Onondaga CC's gymnasium. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. on that day – the #2 Lady Lakers will faceoff with #3 Jefferson CC.

The winner of Friday's game will advance onto the conference championship game – where they will take on the winner of the #1 Onondaga/#4 Tompkins Cortland CC game. The championship game is slated to take place on Saturday (2/23) at noon and will be held on Onondaga's court.