Spartans Conquer Cannoneers for Road Win
Lockdown defense and 26 points from Doray DiLallo gave Cayuga Community College Women's Basketball a revenge win on the road against Jefferson Community College on Wednesday.
Two days after suffering a 72-62 loss at home to Jefferson, the Spartans knocked off the Cannoneers, one of the top teams in Region III with a 12-6 record, 50-44. Cayuga's record is now 4-7 in conference play.
Cayuga Coach Jim Alberici said the win was one of the team's best performances of the season, and applauded his team for their resilient performance in the fourth quarter.
"This was a huge win for us, to come on the road against a good team and have it come down to the fourth quarter and to come out on top," he said. "We were able to look at the tape from Monday's game, figure out what we did wrong and cut down on our turnovers. I'm so proud of this team."
Points were scarce for each team in the first quarter, with both defenses forcing turnovers and difficult shots. Elisabeth Waterman buried two three-pointers for Cayuga, but the Cannoneers carried a 9-8 lead after the first quarter. Cayuga started scoring in the paint in the second quarter and held a 23-20 lead at the break.
Jefferson started the third quarter on a 7-0 run, but baskets by DiLallo, Evelyn Valdez and Lexie Cottrill put Cayuga in front by one point at the start of the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter in Monday's game saw the Spartans tire against the physical Cannoneers, but this time the Spartans took control. DiLallo scored 12 straight points to open the quarter, putting the Spartans up 45-32, a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Three late three-pointers brought Jefferson to within four, but clutch free throws by Tori Mandel, DiLallo and Valdez iced the game for Cayuga.
DiLallo had 12 rebounds, four steals and three assists to go with 26 points. Waterman finished with 11 points, Sydney Alberici had four points and six rebounds, and Valdez and Cottrill each had seven rebounds.
Cayuga is back on the road Saturday at SUNY Broome, who defeated the Spartans 57-42 in Auburn earlier this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.