Spartans Lose Heartbreaker to Lakers

Cayuga Community College Women's Basketball lost a hard-fought road contest to Finger Lakes Community College on Thursday.

Despite a difficult night from the three-point and foul lines, the Spartans stayed neck-and-neck with the Lakers before losing 64-61. The game was Cayuga's first against a Mid-State Athletic Conference opponent this season.

Cayuga Coach Jim Alberici said the team battled back from several deficits in the game, but an off-night shooting hurt their chances for picking up their first win of the season.

"We kept battling back, especially late, and gave ourselves a chance to win the game," he said. "We just didn't shoot well enough. We missed some free throws, missed some layups. And Finger Lakes shot well. But offensively we played much better than our first game, so we took some steps forward."

Cayuga started out the game strong, scoring the first seven points while holding the Lakers scoreless for the first four minutes of play. The Spartans held a 19-12 lead at the end of the quarter, but the Lakers fought back to take a lead before Cayuga's Avrey Colton tied the game at 29 on a short jumper just before halftime.

The Lakers pulled ahead several times in the third quarter, before a jumper by Cayuga's Lamontiona Johnson cut the margin to five heading into the fourth quarter. The teams traded the lead several times in the fourth quarter before the Lakers pulled ahead by four. Buckets by Colton and Johnson tied the game at 61 with 26 seconds left, but the Lakers made three free throws down the stretch for the 64-61 win.

Colton, Johnson and Haley Mosch led the Spartans' attack, with Mosch best among all scorers with 22 points. Colton and Johnson both had 16 points, with Johnson grabbing 13 rebounds and Colton 10. Mosch also had a double-double, finishing with 12 rebounds.

Cayuga is back home Saturday to host Tompkins Cortland CC. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.