BUFFALO, NY – The Bengals women's basketball team were tripped up in their home finale before the Thanksgiving break, falling 71–51 to the Thiel College Tomcats.

GAME BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Thiel College – 71, Buffalo State – 51
LOCATION: Sports Arena – Buffalo, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 0-4 (0-0 SUNYAC), Thiel College: 3-3 (0-0 PAC)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Naya Haymon (Homewood, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor) led the Bengals with 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting, while also pacing the team with five assists. Morgan Popp (Tonawanda, NY/Sweet Home) added 11 points in support, knocking down three triples from beyond the arc.
• On the glass, Imani McNeil (Schenectady, NY/Colonie) led the Bengals, finishing with a team-high 10 rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Making their final homestand before the Thanksgiving break, the Bengals looked to pick up their first win of the season as they hosted the Thiel College Tomcats in the Sports Arena.
• A back-and-forth opening quarter saw both teams struggle to gain separation, as stout defense led the way early. The Bengals found momentum midway through the frame with a five-point lead, but the Tomcats responded with a 10–0 run to take control, sending the Bengals into the second quarter trailing by three.
• In the second quarter, the Tomcats took full control of the matchup, knocking down shots from beyond the arc and keeping the Bengals out of rhythm offensively. Despite efforts to build momentum, the Bengals couldn't slow the Tomcats' attack and entered halftime down by 15 points.
• Coming out of halftime, the Bengals looked to claw their way back into the game, but the Tomcats continued their strong play, using their transition offense to extend the lead. A dominant 26–7 third quarter pushed the Bengals into the fourth trailing by 34.
• In the final quarter, the Bengals played their best stretch of basketball, out hustling and outscoring the Tomcats while holding them to just eight points. Despite a strong late effort, the comeback fell short as the Bengals dropped the matchup.

FOR THE FOES

• Issy Green led the Tomcats with a double-double, scoring leading all scorers with 21-points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Bengals will use the Thanksgiving break to recover before returning to action and kicking off the next slate of Buffalo State athletics, hosting Hartwick College on Tuesday, December 2^nd at 5:00 PM in the Sports Arena.