Lakers Open Conference Play with a Win

BINGHAMTON, NY -- The Finger Lakes Women's Basketball team opened off conference play with a bang, coming back to defeat the SUNY Broome Hornets, 74-69. With the win, Finger Lakes improves their record to 4-7 and 4-5 in region.

The host SUNY Broome Hornets got off to a fast start against the Lakers. They held an early 13-3 lead just five minutes into the game. The Lakers started cold from the floor making just one of their first seven shots. The Lakers would fight back into the half when Alexis Maiorano cut through the lane and found Kelly Broderick under the basket for the easy layup and was fouled. The sophomore guard made the free throw for the three-point play. Broderick would steal the ball from the Broome on the ensuing possession and then find Casey Dean for a three to narrow the margin to 16-11 in favor of Broome halfway through the half. Finger Lakes would fight to stay in the game most of the half. They would get it down to one with a minute to play when Daniele Ogrodowski would sink a pair of free throws. Broome would answer with a basket in the closing seconds and carry a 31-28 lead into the half.

Alex Shepard led the Lakers in scoring in the half with nine points. Kelly Broderick had eight and Casey Dean added six for the Lakers. Daniele Ogrodowsi led Finger Lakes at the half with five rebounds. Finger Lakes was able to cut into the Hornet lead from the free throw line, where they scored 10 points, compared to Broome's five in the half.

Both teams came out shooting in the second half. Casey Dean had a quick five points for the Lakers and a Kelly Broderick three from the top of the key to give the Lakers their first lead of the game, 41-39 with 16 minutes to play. Finger Lakes started the half shooting 5-7 from the field. They would extend the lead to double-digits when Alex Shepard would drain a foul line jumper for the 56-45 lead with nine minutes to play. The Hornets would fight to stay in the game and bring it back to a one point game, 62-61 with three minutes to play. Casey Dean would get her own rebound in the lane and put it back up for Finger Lakes. Then, following a Broome basket, Ryenn Smith would grab a loose ball and find Dean for three and a 67-63 lead with a minute and a half to play. Dean was sent to the free throw line with 5.8 seconds left and a one-point lead. She would make both free throws. Finger Lakes would force a turnover and make two more free throws for the 74-69 win.

Casey Dean finished the game with 24 points, tying her career-high. Alex Shepard scored a career-high 19 points and led the Lakers with seven rebounds. Kelly Broderick had 16 points and five assits for the Lakers. Ryenn Smith added nine points and five rebounds.

The Lakers will remain on the road this weekend as they travel to Watertown to take on Jefferson Community College. Tipoff with the Cannoneers is scheduled for 1pm.