BUFFALO, NY – The Bengals women's basketball team dropped their home opener, 68–57, to the Keuka College Wolves.

GAME BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Keuka College – 68, Buffalo State – 57
LOCATION: Sports Arena – Buffalo, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 0-3 (0-0 SUNYAC), Keuka College: 3-2 (0-0 Empire 8)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Imani McNeil (Schenectady, NY/Colonie) led the Bengals with 19 points on 8-of-20 shooting, while also leading the team with nine rebounds.
• Chyann Kelly added 12 points in support of McNeil, while Naya Haymon (Homewood, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor) led the Bengals with eight assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Returning home for the first time this season after a two-game road start, the Bengals looked to earn their first win of the year as they hosted the Keuka College Wolves.
• The opening quarter saw the Bengals fall behind early following back-to-back threes from the Wolves. Trailing by double digits, the Bengals responded with a 5-0 run to pull within three and closed the quarter strong, entering the second period down by just four.
• In the second quarter, the Bengals gained early momentum and took their first lead of the game, sparked by strong defensive play from Tania Tyler-Wilson (Bronx, NY/Fannie Lou Hamer). However, another set of back-to-back threes from the Wolves halted the run, as the Bengals trailed by seven heading into halftime.
• Out of the break, the Wolves came out firing and quickly pushed their advantage back to double digits. The Bengals refused to back down in this non-conference matchup, battling with timely forced turnovers and relentless defensive pressure to chip away at the deficit. Their effort paid off, as they ended the third quarter trailing by just five points heading into the final frame.
• In the fourth quarter, both teams traded baskets early, making it difficult for the Bengals to close the gap. Despite their fight down the stretch, the Wolves held their composure and spoiled the Bengals' home opener.

FOR THE FOES

• Lillian Mullen led all scorers with 24 points, while Mary Cotter and Brooke Burd would each finish with a double-double for the Wolves.

UP NEXT
The Bengals will get a few days of rest before closing out Buffalo State athletics ahead of Thanksgiving break, hosting Thiel College next Monday, November 24^th at 5:30 p.m. in the Sports Arena.