Good defense leads to better offense in win for Lady Generals

HERKIMER, NY – Two consecutive home games following the holiday is exactly what the Lady Generals needed this weekend, winning both games, most recently beating Tompkins-Cortland Community College 56-54 on Sunday in the varsity gym.

Herkimer (4-5, 1-1 MVC) not known for starting off fast, got up 4-0 in this one with two buckets made by freshman guard Emily Rexford (Canton, NY) within the first three minutes. The second came on a fast-break after Rexford stole it from the Panthers. The lead eventually was relinquished 10 minutes later (15-14), but Ravon Griffin (Syracuse, NY) made sure it didn't last, drawing the defense on a drive deep in the paint, resulting in a Korey Bunal (Rome, NY) field goal, giving the Lady Generals a 16-15 lead. Griffin finished the game with seven and Bunal finished with nine.

The lead changed three times in the final five minutes, with Tompkins-Cortland ending the half on a 10-5 run, leading at half 30-27.

In the second half, that lead increased to six (39-33) for the Panthers until Alyssa Craig (Fonda, NY) hit a three-pointer and Shahadah Williams (Syracuse, NY) scored on assists from Samantha Randio (Ravena, NY) and Rexford, getting the team within one (41-40) with 13:14 left in regulation. Craig finished the game with nine points, two coming from three-point land, while Williams finished with 11 points and Randio finished with two points.

It was tied at 43 a piece with 11:00 left, then both teams traded the lead five times, with Herkimer capturing the lead for good on buckets from Bunal, Randio and Rexford with less than five minutes left. Rexford scored the final three points for the Generals, on a drive into the heart of the defense, left-handed, giving Herkimer a 55-51 lead, then hit a second free throw for the 56-54 lead with 43 seconds left in regulation. Rexford finished the game with a team-high 14 points.

The Lady Generals next game is next Saturday (12/14) in Onondaga. It will be the first of two consecutive away games. The team will look to keep their solid play going with a start time of 1 p.m. against the Lazers.

(Ravon Griffin dishes to teammates Korey Bunal in the first half Sunday against TC3).

(Shadadah Williams scores two of her 11 on this jump step in the first half on Sunday).