FREDONIA, N.Y. --- Fredonia State women's basketball team hit the road on Tuesday night to battle No.3 seeded Geneseo in a quarterfinal matchup. Coming into the SUNYAC tournament, the Blue Devils were considered the underdog seeded No.6. The Devils' tournament run came to an end, as Geneseo held onto the lead with a final score of 44-40.
Mackenna Nechwedowich led the Blue Devils' with 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Katie Pitcher added 11 points and 2 blocks.
Mary Culeton had 8 rebounds and 2 steals.
The first quarter was dominated by the defense, as both teams were unable to find their rhythm and get shots to fall. Difficulty protecting the ball for both teams led to a high number of turnovers, decreasing offensive opportunities. Geneseo gave up five turnovers, while the Devils committed seven.
Pitcher hit a deep two-pointer, from the top of the key to close out the first quarter at a score of 9-6. Giving momentum to the Blue Devils to start the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the Knights went on 14-6 run to retake the lead. Geneseo maintained their lead for the remainder of the half, with a score of 20-15.
Within the first half, both teams struggled shooting the ball. From the field, Fredonia State shot 5 of 28 (17.9%), while Geneseo shot 8 of 33 (24.2%).
A key factor to Geneseo's run, came off of points from underneath the rim. The Knights dominated the paint putting up ten points, compared to the Blue Devils four.
Fredonia State settled down and improved shooting within the third quarter, but were matched on every point by the Knights. Geneseo lead 31-25 after the third.
Everything started to come together for the Fredonia State within the fourth quarter.
The Blue Devils were able to get within five points, after a corner three from
Isabella Wier with 2:10 remaining in the game.
After getting a stop on the next possession, Pitcher was able to bring the Devils within two points. After fighting through contact and getting her layup to fall, Pitcher was sent to the line where she converted an and-one opportunity.
On the next Geneseo possession the Blue Devils defense stood strong and were able to force a shot clock violation.
With 22 seconds remaining, Wier was sent to the the line converting one of her two free throws. This brought the Blue Devils within one point at a score of 41-40.
Geneseo was sent to the line with 16 seconds left where Kerry Dennin was able to get one of her two free throws.
The Devils missed a three-pointer with 8 seconds remaining, forcing Fredonia State to foul. Geneseo hit both free throws to
close out the game at 44-40.
The Blue Devils look to next year, as the season comes to an end.
