The Women’s Basketball team won two of their three games this week, improving their conference record to 3-10.
The team defeated SUNY Potsdam 76-66 Friday before losing to SUNY Plattsburgh 84-53 the following day. But the Lady Hawks bounced back, and Tuesday’s matchup against SUNY Cortland ended in a 58-48 win. The two victories were against teams that had defeated the Lady Hawks previously in the season.
“Against Potsdam we really pushed the ball well in transition to get easier baskets for us,” third-year Captain Shannan Walker said. “We also were getting the ball inside to our posts which created more opportunities on offense.”
Against Cortland, Head Coach Jamie Seward said the difference lay in adjusting to the Lady Red Dragons the second half.
“I was really happy because for the first time all year, the players went out and executed the adjustment we implemented at half time very well,” Seward said. “We came back out and really competed on the glass. The first half we got beat up pretty good on the glass, but the second half they really held their own and I think that was a big difference.”
Seward said Walker’s strength in shooting and Captains Jeanette Scott and Goldie Harrison’s presence on defense were key elements in Tuesday’s win, and said the experience this season has brought his young team to become more apparent on both the court and the scoreboard.
“As much as this season has been a struggle from the wins and losses standpoint, it’s been enjoyable coaching this team,” Seward said. “Since January they’ve come back from the break and they’ve really learned how to practice and work in that extra gear, and compete more consistency at a higher level.”
Seward said looking out on the court and seeing a predominantly underclassmen Lady Hawks squad compete against the other conference teams with a majority of seasoned players helps him stay positive about the future of the team.
“I think the inexperience set us back early, but it’s going to help us long term,” Seward said.
Walker said the players’ closeness with one another is a big factor in how they keep their spirits up and will remain positive the remainder of the season.
The Lady Hawks will have to win all of their remaining conference games to have a shot at the SUNYAC Tournament, Seward said. But the team will not stray from their season-long game plan.
“We haven’t done as much for preparing for a particular opponent, more so focusing on us and growing ourselves as a team,” Seward said. “And we will continue to do that.”
The Lady Hawks will have back-to-back match-ups at the Hawk Center as they take on Buffalo State Friday, Feb. 7 before vying against SUNY Fredonia Saturday, Feb. 8.