Cobleskill, N.Y.:  Playing back-to-back in conference play can be grueling and on Sunday afternoon the SUNY Cobleskill and Wells College women's basketball teams engaged in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) battle that saw the visiting Express out slug the Fighting Tigers by a 56-55 margin at the Iorio Gymnasium. The loss drops the Fighting Tigers to 3-3 overall on the season including a 1-2 mark in conference play while Wells improves to 3-2 overall on the campaign including a 2-1 NEAC record.

After the Express built a 45-33 lead with 7:45 remaining in the fourth quarter the Fighting Tigers  mounted a furious comeback effort employing an aggressive full-court defensive scheme that saw them take a 55-54 lead with 1:45 remaining on a lay-up in heavy traffic by freshman Addy Lawson, Milford, N.Y., Milford High School.
On the ensuing possession, Wells senior guard Ashida Cooper, Bensalem, Pa., Bensalem High School, attacked the basket drawing a foul. Cooper split a pair of free throws to tie the contest at 55-55 with 1:36 remaining in regulation.

After Cobleskill failed to convert on their subsequent possession; Wells once again worked the ball to Cooper, who in a mirror image of the previous play attacked the rim and was fouled. The Wells senior once again split a pair of free throws to give the visitors a 56-55 advantage with only 50 seconds remaining.

Down the stretch both teams could not convert on potential scoring opportunities and the Fighting Tigers found themselves with the final possession of the contest. Out of a time out senior guard Shiann Coons, Albany, N.Y., Bishop Maginn High School/Schenectady Community College, launched a runner with four seconds remaining that was short of the mark and despite getting the offensive rebound, the Fighting Tigers could not get a shot off before time expired.

Freshman Shaliyah Graham, Bronx, N.Y., Martin Luther King Jr. High School, once again led the Orange & Black in scoring with 13 points to go with six rebounds while Shiann Coons finished with 12 points and five rebounds. Addy Lawson chipped in seven points, eight rebounds and four assists for the home team and senior forward Shelby Preston, Ravena, N.Y. Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School, grabbed a game high 12 rebounds to go with eight points on the afternoon.

Cobleskill will return to NEAC action on Wednesday December 7^th when they host the Mustangs of Morrisville State College as part of a doubleheader beginning with the women's game at 5:00 p.m. followed by the men's game at 7:00 p.m.