New Paltz, N.Y. – The Cortland Red Dragons experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in a nail-biting SUNYAC women’s basketball tournament semifinal clash against Geneseo.
The game reached a crescendo when Geneseo’s Hannah Stockman sank a crucial 3-pointer in the dying moments, securing a 61-58 victory for the third-seeded Knights at New Paltz.
This matchup between the second-seeded Cortland, wrapping up their season with an 18-8 record, and Geneseo (19-8) showcased intense competition from tip-off to the final buzzer. The Knights now find themselves in the championship game, scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m., where they will face the top-seeded New Paltz. New Paltz secured their spot by narrowly edging past fifth-seeded Oswego with a 55-53 victory in the first semifinal game on Friday.
The standout player for Cortland, Logan Streety (Elma/Iroquois), displayed her basketball prowess with an impressive performance, contributing 17 points and securing a notable 14 rebounds. Mariah Huss (Kenmore/Sacred Heart Academy) added eight points to the tally, shooting an efficient 3-of-4, including two crucial 3-pointers. Emily Morano (Olyphant, PA/Mid Valley) and Brooke Tillotson (Marathon) both made valuable contributions with six points, five assists, and two steals each. Jackie Funk (Penfield) scored six points, while Kaeli McAnally (Islip) added five points and six rebounds to the effort.
On the opposing side, Geneseo’s Kiley Snow led the scoring charts with an impressive 18 points. Mackenzie Reigle showcased her versatility with 12 points, seven assists, three steals, and five rebounds. Kerry Dennin’s dominant presence under the boards was evident, as she collected 10 rebounds, complementing the efforts of Stockman and Maggie McGrane, who contributed eight points each.
Geneseo controlled the tempo of the game, maintaining a narrow lead throughout. The Knights held a 29-27 advantage at halftime, extending it to 46-41 after the third quarter. Despite Geneseo’s nine-point lead occurring twice in the final quarter, the latter instance at 55-46 after a Dennin layup midway through, Cortland showcased remarkable resilience.
Cortland’s comeback began with a Streety 3-point play, followed by a crucial 3-pointer by Huss. A quick steal by Huss then led to a Streety layup, narrowing the deficit to a single point with 3:41 remaining. Cortland continued the momentum with baskets by Huss and Morano, taking the lead at 58-55 with under three minutes left in a remarkable turn of events.
However, Geneseo responded with a Stockman 3-pointer under two minutes, leveling the score. With less than 30 seconds remaining, Geneseo turned the ball over, providing Cortland with a chance to potentially hold for a final shot. Unfortunately for the Red Dragons, a turnover ensued, and after a timeout, Stockman hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with less than five seconds remaining.
In the closing seconds, Geneseo disrupted two Cortland possessions, and a third led to a missed layup as time expired, securing their spot in the championship game.
The defeat leaves Cortland reflecting on a valiant effort, with a sense of disappointment but also a resilient spirit heading into the next season. The players and coaching staff undoubtedly carry a chip on their shoulders, eager to learn and grow from this experience. On the other side, Geneseo looks forward to a thrilling showdown with New Paltz in the SUNYAC championship game, with their eyes set on capturing the coveted title.