The Fredonia women's basketball was within one point of Cortland in the final 30 seconds of the game, but could not break through, falling 55-51 to Cortland in its SUNYAC quarterfinal contest Tuesday evening.
The first quarter was low scoring for both teams, with the teams tied 6-6 with 2:47 on the clock. Fredonia then ripped off a 9-3 run capped off by a layup from senior Khee Nance (Dunkirk/Dunkirk) to end the quarter up 15-9.
Fredonia extended its lead to 11 after a three-pointer from Alexis Cheatham (Lockport/Lockport) two minutes into the second frame. A Cortland three-pointer and a layup would cut the deficit to six, 20-14, Devils. The Blue Devils would regain their 11-point lead after a layup from sophomore Jenna Einink (Westfield/Chautauqua Lake H.S.) with 5:24 left in the half.
The Red Dragons would respond with a seven straight points to cut the lead to four, 27-23. Cortland was then held scoreless the final 3:20 of the half. Two made free throws along with a layup from Fredonia's Jacque Law (Machais/Pioneer) and another layup from Alisha Szumigala (Forestville/Forestville) put the Devils back up by 10 at intermission, 33-23.
Cortland outscored Fredonia 15-6 in the third quarter and trailed by a point, 39-38, entering the fourth.
A Chapko triple in the opening minutes of the final quarter put Cortland ahead by two, giving the Dragons its first lead since 5:29 in the first period.
Cheatham would put Fredonia back up by one after sinking three shots at the charity stripe with 8:00 remaining. The teams would trade buckets until Cortland opened up a five point lead in the final minutes.
The Blue Devils came within one point after Cheatham nailed a three with 30 seconds remaining. Two Danielle Levine free throws for Cortland put the Dragons back up by three. Cheatham would try another long ball but missed with 18 ticks on the scoreboard.
A free throw from Samantha Roberts with seven seconds left put the Dragons up by four and sealed the victory for Cortland.
Cheatham, a senior, scored a game-high 15 points and added eight assists. Nance, also a senior, finished with 14 points.
Law tallied eight points and four rebounds.
Chapko and teammate Alyssa Crosby each scored 14 points apiece for Cortland. Crosby also added 10 rebounds.
The loss ends the season for Fredonia. The Blue Devils finished the year 17-9 overall.
