The SUNY Oneonta women's basketball team extended its current win streak to five games while closing out 2018 with a 79-61 victory against host Western Connecticut to capture the title of the Hat City Tournament.  Four Red Dragons scored in double figures led by junior Alexa Amalbert's (Nanuet/Nanuet) season high 25 points, tying her collegiate high scored last February against Buffalo State.  Amalbert's two-day performance earned her the MVP of the tournament while senior Madeline Frank (Syracuse/Jamesville-Dewitt) was named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
Joining Amalbert in double digits was classmates Leanne Corso (Commack/Commack) and Olivia Allrich (Ballston Spa/Ballston Spa) and senior Teresa Anken (Rome/Rome Free Academy).  Corso scored 20 points to go along with a collegiate best 17 rebounds.  Allrich contributed 12 points while Anken added 10 points.
 
Oneonta (9-1) controlled the backboard in today's contest outrebounding Western Connecticut (5-6) 57-39 including 21 offensive boards.  Nine of Corso's rebounds were on the offensive end while all eight of Frank's rebounds were offensive.  Sophomore Clara Culeton (Oswego/Oswego) pulled down a collegiate best 11 boards including seven on the offensive end.  The Red Dragons also held a decided advantage in the paint (30-16) and in second chance points (23-12).
 
The Red Dragons trailed for only three minutes in today's contest before closing the first quarter with a flurry to grab a 22-18 lead.  Trailing 13-9 midway through the opening quarter, Oneonta scored five unanswered capped by a pair of free throws by sophomore Maya Bernsley (Monroe/Monroe Woodbury).  The score was tied one final time at 14 apiece before a three by Anken gave Oneonta the lead for good.
 
Coming out of halftime with a 41-34 lead, Oneonta began pulling away in the third quarter outscoring the Colonials 14-6.  After WestConn scored the first basket to start the quarter, the Red Dragons ran off 10 straight to take command of the contest.  Amalbert scored eight of the 10 points to fuel the run.
 
Amalbert made 11-of-15 shots in the game, many of them on the break.  Oneonta recorded 21 assists today led by five each from Anken and Culeton.
 
Oneonta will open 2019 at home on Tuesday, January 8 when they will face its rival SUNY Cortland beginning at 4pm.