With a current 16 wins and 7 losses, the Red Dragons are gearing up to face the Buffalo State Bengals who currently have 4 wins and 19 losses.
Scheduled for February 16, this matchup represents an opportunity for the Red Dragons to gain a positive momentum going into SUNYACs along with happily celebrating a win for their seniors on their senior day.
In preparation for the game, the Red Dragons have been diligently preparing during their practices leading up to this matchup, aiming to secure a victory and maintain their momentum as they approach the end of their season.
Sophomore guard Kaeli McAnally emphasized the team’s focus on specific areas of improvement in preparation for the game. They have been honing their shooting skills, emphasizing the importance of boxing out, striving to enhance their ball movement in transition, and prioritizing defense as a catalyst for offensive opportunities.
McAnally stressed the significance of translating these practice efforts into on-court performance, especially with senior day approaching, highlighting the emotional significance of securing a win for the departing senior players.
The Red Dragons have struggled to hold the lead of the game throughout the season and have been working hard to overcome this obstacle.
To improve, sophomore forward, Lily Woodis said the team is working on trying to play team basketball. This strategy aims to make them more unpredictable and difficult to defend, as any player on the team could potentially have a standout performance on any given night, thus enabling them to seize control of the game.
One of the main things the Red Dragons focus on is taking charges. This always boosts the team’s energy and makes them pick up the pace.
Graduate student guard, Abby Wilkinson said, “My team and coach are very big on taking charges and it is always a big momentum swing when one of us takes a charge on the defensive end.”
Defense plays a huge role in the Red Dragons game plan; they intend to use their strong defense in their upcoming game against the Bengals.
By using this defensive strategy, the Red Dragons aim to dictate the tempo of the game and limit the scoring opportunities for their opponents.
Despite having only two seniors, Emily Morano and Logan Streety, on the roster, the Red Dragons are determined to make the most of their remaining games and address any areas of improvement to honor their departing teammates with a memorable victory.
Many players on the team have complimented the team’s bonds, saying it’s the strongest they’ve ever been a part of. Because of this, the team is always picking each other up and cheering for each other no matter the number of minutes each individual plays.
This team connection has led to a lot of success for the Red Dragon’s and hopefully will contribute to the win against the Bengals this weekend.
The women’s dedication to refining their skills and strategies underscores their commitment to achieving success both on and off the court.