PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Sophomore forward
Frannie Merkel (Brewster, N.Y./Brewster) led the Plattsburgh State women's basketball with 20 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in their 65-58 win over Fredonia to open State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play Friday night in Memorial Hall.
The Cardinals improved to 1-3 overall and start out 1-0 in the conference while the Blue Devils drop to 1-5, 0-1 SUNYAC.
Sophomore guard
Brooke Benna (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) scored 13 points and accounted for four of the nine three-pointers the Cardinals made Friday night. Junior guard
Anna Thompson (Poughkeepsie, N.Y. / Spackenkill) picked up 11 points scoring five of the eight free throws for Plattsburgh State.
The Cardinals out-scored the Blue Devils in all but the second quarter where they each put up 12 points.
The game was tied twice in the first quarter before the Cardinals took the lead with a three-pointer from junior guard/forward
Bella DePasquale (Ardsley, N.Y./Ardsley). Benna followed with another three-pointer to put Plattsburgh State up 16-10.
The Blue Devils closed out the first quarter with a three-pointer and a free throw to cut the Cardinals lead to two. Fredonia tied the game 18-18 with 7:30 left in the second quarter and took a two point lead.
Benna put up another three-pointer and freshman guard
Hannah Whitney (Keene, N.Y. / Keene Central) put in a three-pointer for a four point advantage. The Blue Devils closed in once again and cut the Cardinals lead to two points heading into halftime with a score of 28-26.
The third quarter was tied four times before the Cardinals took the lead back and headed into the fourth quarter up 44-39 thanks to two free throws from Thompson and layup by Merkel.
Merkel started the fourth quarter with a two jumpers and a layup and Benna put in back-to-back layups to give the Cardinals an 11 point cushion with 4:19 remaining.
The Blue Devils were able to come within six points of the lead but a free throw from Thompson in the final seconds gave the Cardinals their seven point victory and first win of the season.
Plattsburgh State is home Saturday, Dec. 2, for a conference game against Buffalo State at 1 p.m.
