Cayuga Community College Women’s Basketball rallied in the fourth quarter to force overtime before falling to Fulton-Montgomery Community College on Saturday.
In a back-and-forth contest, the Spartans lost a halftime lead but tied the game in the closing seconds of regulation on a Lexi Alberici three-pointer. Cayuga fell behind early in the final frame and was unable to catch the Raiders, losing 58-57.
Cayuga Coach Jim Alberici said a challenging third quarter hurt the Spartans, but he was proud of how the team fought back after losing a halftime lead.
“We played outstanding in the first two quarters, then showed great effort and composure in coming back in the fourth after we really struggled in the third quarter,” he said. “This would have been a huge win on the road for us. To be that close and come up short, it’s disappointing, but I’m proud of the effort and how we kept battling and regained our footing in the fourth quarter.”
After the Raiders took the lead late in the first quarter, Cayuga rallied with a strong second quarter. The Spartans started the frame on a 9-0 run and led 30-21 at the break. The Raiders stormed back in the third quarter, sinking three quick three-pointers during an 11-2 run to tie the game.
Fulton-Montgomery led by four going into the fourth, but Cayuga went on an 8-0 run to take the lead. The teams traded the lead late in the quarter, with Cayuga’s Xavia Evener making two free throws to put the Spartans ahead before the Raiders sank a three to go back in front.
Trailing 51-48, Alberici banked in a three-pointer with nine seconds left to even the game, and Cayuga held on the defensive end to force overtime. In the extra frame, the Raiders built a four-point lead before Alberici sank another three to pull Cayuga within one. The Spartans held again on defense, but their final shot glanced off the rim at the buzzer.
Mosch led Cayuga with 28 points and had 15 rebounds, and Evener had 13 points and 16 rebounds. Alberici finished with 12 points, three assists and three steals.
Cayuga is now 7-11 on the season. They’re back on the road Tuesday, Feb. 4, against Finger Lakes Community College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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