Spartans Lose at Home to Vikings

Cayuga Community College Women's Basketball played three strong quarters before fading in the fourth against a strong Hudson Valley Community College team Saturday.

The Spartans trailed by single digits entering the final quarter, but the Vikings outpaced Cayuga in the fourth en route to a 71-57 final. With the loss Cayuga is now 7-10 on the season and 5-8 in Region III.

Coach Jim Alberici said the Spartans played well against a very talented Vikings team.

"That's a team that scored 100 points in a game earlier this week. I'm proud of our effort, especially on the defensive end. We've done that all year," he said. "Offensively, we just had too many turnovers in a couple of stretches. But we did a great job attacking the rim, the best we've done all year."

The first three quarters were evenly matched. Cayuga held a 13-10 lead after the opening quarter behind a late jumper from Lexi Alberici. The Vikings took the lead in the second and built a 10-point advantage, but Cayuga scored the final seven points on a three-pointer from Alberici, a layup by Haley Mosch and a jumper from Lamontiona Johnson.

Trailing 28-25 at halftime, Cayuga tied it quickly on a three-pointer from Mosch. The teams traded the lead throughout the quarter before the Vikings scored the final five points to go up 49-45. Hudson Valley controlled the fourth, scoring the first 10 points to lead by double digits for most of the quarter.

Johnson led the Spartans with 19 points, while Mosch had 17 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Maddy Weed had a team-high 11 rebounds to go with eight points, Avrey Colton had seven assists, and Alberici finished with three steals.

Cayuga is home Sunday for another Region III contest against SUNY Adirondack. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.