FIGHTING TIGER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POUNDS TCCC PANTHERS 86-26

The SUNY Cobleskill women’s basketball team put on a clinic last night in Cobleskill, NY totally decimating the Panthers of Tompkins-Cortland Community College by an 86-26 margin behind powerful post play, stifling defense, great ball movement and a lethal running game. The victory pushes the Fighting Tigers record to 5-0 on the season.

“We were clearly the bigger, stronger and faster team and we did a very good job of asserting ourselves,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Josh Suttles. “We did an excellent job of guarding them tonight all over the court as evidenced by the 41 turnovers we forced. I was also impressed with our getting out and running which is what we want to do every night. I also thought we were effective executing and converting when we went deep into the shot clock. Tonight also showed our benches development which will be a key for later in the season when we get into the more difficult part of our schedule. Tonight different people stepped up like Cassie Haynes, Tahara Pleasure and Kim McMillen.”

The Cobleskill front line pounded the Panthers into submission as senior NJCAA All-American forward Dee Dee Smith, Monticello, NY, Redemption Christian Academy, exploded for 20 points to go with four rebounds and two steals and senior center Crystal Ferrer, Bronx, NY, Redemption Christian Academy, tossed in 11 points to go with 12 rebounds and three steals. Freshman power forward Kim McMillen, Greenville, NY, Greenville High School, came off the bench to score 16 points and grab 11 rebounds on the night while fellow freshman forward Cassie Haynes, Greenwich, NY, Greenwich High School, came off the pines to tally nine points in the contest.

Freshman guard Erinn O’Rourke, South Glens Falls, NY, South Glens Falls High School, also scored in double figures with 10 points to go with seven steals and three assists. Senior point guard Tanisha McClinton, Poughkeepsie, NY, Poughkeepsie High School, turned in a fine all-around effort with four points, five rebounds three assists and five steals as did freshman swing person Kelly Taggart, Sidney Center, NY, Franklin High School, who scored three points, made two steals and grabbed five rebounds in the contest. Senior forward Tahara Pleasure, Albany, NY, Albany High School, also continued her strong play off of the bench with five points and three rebounds.

The Fighting Tigers will next travel to Williamstown, MA on Tuesday November 22nd for a meeting with the Williams College junior varsity beginning at 5:00 PM before traveling to Auburn, NY on Saturday November 26th for a meeting with Niagara Community College in the opening round of the Spartan Holiday Classic hosted by Cayuga Community College.