A Quick Look
The SUNY Oneonta women's basketball team was edged out in the fourth quarter at Buffalo State falling 79-71 in SUNYAC action.  The loss for the Red Dragons drops them to 10-10 overall and 7-6 in the conference while Buffalo State moves to 10-8 overall and 7-5 in the conference.
 
The Inside Story
Oneonta trailed by five points entering the third quarter but quickly tied the game at 36 apiece on a layup by freshman Nadia Brown (Troy/Troy).  The Red Dragons found itself behind 43-39 at the 8:10 mark of the quarter and 45-40 just two minutes later before ripping off 10 unanswered to grab a 50-45 lead.  Juniors Meg Nardelli (Wappingers Falls/Roy C. Ketcham) and Lauren Obermayer (East Greenbush/Columbia) keyed the run each making a three-pointer.  When the quarter ended, Oneonta found itself in front 53-50.
 
In the fourth quarter, the score was tied three times in the early going the final time at 57 apiece when senior Megan Palmatier (Bainbridge/Bainbridge-Guilford) made a pull upfor Oneonta at 6:21.  The Bengals scored five quick points to take the lead for good.  Katie Villarini and Adiya Jones led the fourth quarter charge for Buffalo State combining for 20 of the final 22 points for the hosts.
 
Oneonta trailed 5-4 just a few minutes into the opening quarter before putting together an 11-2 run to grab its largest lead of the first half at 15-7.  Junior Olivia Dobrovosky (Skaneateles/Skaneateles) contributed a pair of baskets while sophomore Molly Stephens (LaGrange/Arlington) made a three-pointer to fuel the spurt.  By the end of the first quarter, Buffalo State had cut its deficit to 17-14.
 
The Red Dragons continued to hold the lead until a three-pointer by Tashawni Crawford tied the score at 26 apiece at the 6:52 mark of the second quarter.  A late 8-3 run by the Bengals over the final 3:48 gave them a 36-31 lead heading into halftime.  The three points for Oneonta came from Nardelli with 28 seconds to go in the quarter.
 
Just the Stats
The overall statistics were relatively even with the biggest differences being in free throws made and fast break points.  Oneonta was outscored 32-21 from the line and 29-11 on fast breaks.  Both teams shot well from the stripe with the Red Dragons only missing one free throw in the contest and Buffalo missing four.
 
Oneonta had three players reach double figures in scoring led by Stephens who scored 21 points.  Brown was next with 12 points and sophomore Jenna Harclerode (Sayville/Sayville) added 11 points and a team high nine boards.
 
What's Next
Oneonta will play at Fredonia tomorrow afternoon beginning at 1pm.