Cobleskill, NY – The SUNY Cobleskill women's basketball team showcased its depth with nine different players scoring and made the winning plays late, grinding out a 61–58 North Atlantic Conference victory over VTSU-Lyndon on Friday night inside the Iorio Gymnasium to remain unbeaten at home.

Second year guard Sydney Delisle (Mechanicville, NY) led the way with an all-around performance, posting 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals while knocking down three shots from beyond the arc. First-year standout Kate Hadwen (Fair Haven, VT) added nine points and three rebounds, while junior Hannah Bonczkowski (Gilbertsville, NY) supplied eight points, three boards and two threes. On the glass, Kayleigh Bryant (Schenevus, NY) and Mady Victorin (Menands, NY) powered Cobleskill with eight rebounds each, with Bryant also contributing seven points and two steals.

The Tigers' bench came through in a big way as guards Jaiyla Colon (Worcester, MA) and Alyssa Martin (Castleton, NY) each scored nine points. Colon added four rebounds and provided key defensive pressure, while Martin buried a pair of momentum-building jumpers.

Cobleskill shot 27 percent from the field (20-74), 22.2 percent from three (8-36) and 68.4 percent at the line (13-19). Lyndon countered with 39.6 percent shooting (21-53), 33.3 percent from deep (4-12) and 52.2 percent on free throws (12-23). Despite being edged 48–45 on the boards, the Tigers' defense was the difference maker—forcing 25 turnovers and converting them into 16 points. Cobleskill's transition game also swung the momentum, outscoring the Hornets 17–4 on the break, while the bench contributed a decisive 24–6 scoring advantage.

Cobleskill came out with energy, racing to a 14–4 lead in the opening five minutes behind five straight points from Bonczkowski and an and-one finish from Bryant. Colon's layup extended the margin to 16–5 before Lyndon responded with a run to cut the deficit to 18–15 at the end of the first.

The Tigers wasted no time regaining control as back-to-back threes from Bonczkowski and Delisle pushed the lead back to 26–15. A jumper from Zaylee Ramos (Worcester, MA) opened Cobleskill's largest lead of the night, 30–17, with six minutes left in the second quarter. Martin later drilled a three to keep the advantage at 13, and the Tigers took a 38–26 lead into the break.
Lyndon stormed back in the third, opening the quarter on a 14–1 run to tie the game at 39–39. The two sides traded buckets, with Colon knocking down a mid-range jumper to keep Cobleskill ahead. Martin added another jumper late in the frame to steady the Tigers, who carried a narrow 47–45 lead into the fourth.

The Hornets took their first lead of the second half early in the final period, but Cobleskill countered with a fastbreak jumper from Kyra Pence and a free throw from Bryant to move back in front 55–53 with just over five minutes left. Hadwen knocked down two clutch free throws at the 2:15 mark to extend the lead to 59–55. Lyndon trimmed the deficit to one, 59–58, with 24 seconds left, but Bryant hit a key free throw and the defense forced a tough miss that Pence secured. Colon then knocked down a free throw in the closing seconds to seal the 61–58 win.

Up Next:
The Fighting Tigers return to action on Saturday afternoon, hosting VTSU-Johnson at 3:00 p.m. inside the Iorio Gymnasium.