GENESEO, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State women's basketball team gave No. 24-ranked Geneseo a battle, but could not close the deal in a 74-65 SUNYAC road loss on Tuesday. The Devils trailed by five points at the half, and outscored the Knights in the fourth quarter, but could not overcome a late third-quarter run.
The Devils received 14 points from both
Rae White and
Heaven Rollek.
Lauren Mickley added 11 points, and
Morgan Davis connected for 10 points and a team-best six rebounds.
Anna Chiacchia put together an all-around performance with seven points, six assists, five rebounds, and four blocks.
Geneseo jumped out to a 14-2 lead. Once the Devils settled in, they were able to bounce back with a 13-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 15-14. The Devils connected for three three-point baskets over that span, with Mickley hitting on a pair. Two free throws by
Morgan Davis with 56 seconds left in the first ended the run.
A three by Geneseo closed the frame.
Davis converted a layup to open the second quarter to tie the game at 17-all. Geneseo responded with a three pointer by Natalie Alfieri to take the lead for the rest of the half.
The Devils would keep it close, never trailing by more than six points. Geneseo would lead 34-29 at the midway point.
The third quarter started well for the Devils who scored on their first four possessions while holding Geneseo scoreless. A pair of baskets by Rollek, a field goal from Mickley, and a three from White put Fredonia State up, 38-34.
The Devils' final lead of the game would come at the 4:50 mark of the third. White nailed a three to give her team a one-point advantage, 44-43.
Unfortunately, the quarter did not end like it started, and the hosts would rattle off 14-straight points for a 57-44 lead heading into the fourth.
Fredonia State would pull within eight points -- and outscore Geneseo 21-17 in the fourth -- but could not close the gap.
"I was proud of our resilience tonight on the road," said head coach
Sarah Cartmill. "We battled with some grit and that's exactly what we need to bring out every time."
The Devils shot 46 percent from the floor to Geneseo's 44 percent. The Devils sizzled from beyond the arc, connecting on 10-of-18 attempts (56 percent). White led the way with four three-pointers. Geneseo shot a sharp 9-of-18 from three-point land.
Geneseo won the battle on the boards, 33-28.
Geneseo (11-1 / 4-1 SUNYAC) received 28 points from Alfieri, while Kerrin Montgomery added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Sara Ciotti had 10 points and eight assists.
Fredonia State falls to 5-6 overall and 1-3 in the conference. The team heads home this weekend for Friday/Saturday SUNYAC games vs. Potsdam and Plattsburgh.
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