For Immediate Release: February 24, 2006

CORTLAND AND OSWEGO ADVANCE TO
SUNYAC WOMEN’S BAKSETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Women’s SUNYAC Tournament Final – 4:00 p.m.at the Utica Memorial Auditorium

UTICA, NY – Cortland and Oswego advance to tomorrow’s State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) women’s basketball game after winning their respective semifinal games held this evening at the Utica Memorial Auditorium in Utica, NY.

In today’s first semifinal game, second-seeded Oswego defeated No. 6 Brockport 68-66 in overtime to advance to tomorrow’s championship game. SUNY Oswego rallied from a five point deficit over the final 2:54 of regulation to erase a five point deficit, and force overtime. Samantha Driscoll (Lisle/Whitney Point) hit a layup with 23 seconds left in regulation to force overtime and she scored four of the Lakers' seven points in the extra session to give Oswego the victory. Driscoll finished with 15 points, while Lacey Kimpland (Gulton/G Ray Bodley) and Sarah Lombard (Saratoga Springs) each chipped in with 12 points. Jessica Trembley (Colonie) scored 11 points and grabbed a team high 11 boards.

Katie Marcella (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland) led the way for the Golden Eagles, pouring in a game-high 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Brockport had two players who posted a double-double. Kim Schon (Corfu, NY/ Lockport) notched 15 points, 12 rebounds and Kiomi Matthews (Rochester/Irondequiot) had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Courtney Hines (Johnstown, NY/ Johnstown) finished with fourteen points, five rebounds, and four steals.

In the second semifinal game, No. 1 Cortland defeated fourth seed Geneseo in overtime, 61-53. Geneseo trailed 26-20 at the intermission and by as many as 12 in the second half before mounting a comeback. Junior Katy Irving (Olean), who finished with nine points for the Blue Knights, hit a three-point field goal with 56 seconds left to tie the score at 49 in regulation. In the overtime, Cortland jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, making 9-10 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Kaylin VanDusen (Schuyler/West Canada Valley) led the way with 19 points, seven rebounds, six steals and four assists. Sara Cavanaugh (Hastings-on-Hudson/Hastings) scored 13 points and Megan Assmus (Syosset) added 11 points, including a three-pointer to give the Red Dragons the lead in overtime. Sophomores Annie Verdino (Yorktown Heights/New Hyde Park) and Amanda Haney (Sidney) led the way for the Blue Knights with 14 points apiece with Haney grabbing seven boards.

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