D’Youville Wins Crown in Women’s Basketball Buffalo State Betty Abgott Invitational
BUFFALO, NY—D’Youville (2-0) overcame 33 turnovers to hold off host Buffalo State (1-1), 68-64 in overtime, to win the championship in the Betty Abgott Invitational this afternoon at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. Hartwick (1-1) topped Becker (0-2), 67-59, in the consolation game.
D’Youville never trailed in the game jumping out to a 37-21 lead at the intermission. The Bengals rallied to erase the 16-point halftime deficit, tying the score at 56-56 with 1:04 remaining to force overtime. The Spartans pulled ahead in the extra period and made four free throws down the stretch to maintain the victory. Tournament MVP Christine Halter (Holley, NY/Kendall) led the Spartans with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Holly Bates (Marilla, NY/Iroquois) added 11 points and 13 boards, and Rachel Pagano-Fuller (Greece, NY/Greece Odyssey) and Rachel Placito (Greece, NY/Greece Olympia) scored 11 each. Toya Parks (Brooklyn/MLK) paced the Bengals with 18 points, 13 rebounds and seven steals. Shareese Hamer (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent), Alyssa Kinney (Medford/Bellport) and Lindsay Smith (Ithaca/Ithaca) all scored 11 for the Bengals.
In the consolation game, Hartwick never trailed, opening a 37-23 advantage by the half and Becker never threatened in the second period. Hartwick owned a 49-34 advantage on the glass. Danee Harrison (Ansonia, CT/Weston) led Hartwick with 17 points and had seven rebounds. Kara Foro (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland) and Katie Caldwell (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) each had 11 points, and Fritzi Flores (Bergenfield, NJ/Paramus Catholic) had 10 points and seven assists. Beth Pion (Enfield, CT/Enfield) paced Becker with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Rachel Pinak (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) had 12 points and nine boards, and Brittany Evans (Danielson, CT/Killingly) chipped in 10 points.
Tournament MVP: Christine Halter (D’Youville)
All-Tournament Team: Holly Bates (D’Youville), Alyssa Kinney (Buffalo State), Toya Parks (Buffalo State), Danee Harrison (Hartwick), Beth Pion (Becker)
D’Youville never trailed in the game jumping out to a 37-21 lead at the intermission. The Bengals rallied to erase the 16-point halftime deficit, tying the score at 56-56 with 1:04 remaining to force overtime. The Spartans pulled ahead in the extra period and made four free throws down the stretch to maintain the victory. Tournament MVP Christine Halter (Holley, NY/Kendall) led the Spartans with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Holly Bates (Marilla, NY/Iroquois) added 11 points and 13 boards, and Rachel Pagano-Fuller (Greece, NY/Greece Odyssey) and Rachel Placito (Greece, NY/Greece Olympia) scored 11 each. Toya Parks (Brooklyn/MLK) paced the Bengals with 18 points, 13 rebounds and seven steals. Shareese Hamer (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent), Alyssa Kinney (Medford/Bellport) and Lindsay Smith (Ithaca/Ithaca) all scored 11 for the Bengals.
In the consolation game, Hartwick never trailed, opening a 37-23 advantage by the half and Becker never threatened in the second period. Hartwick owned a 49-34 advantage on the glass. Danee Harrison (Ansonia, CT/Weston) led Hartwick with 17 points and had seven rebounds. Kara Foro (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland) and Katie Caldwell (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) each had 11 points, and Fritzi Flores (Bergenfield, NJ/Paramus Catholic) had 10 points and seven assists. Beth Pion (Enfield, CT/Enfield) paced Becker with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Rachel Pinak (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) had 12 points and nine boards, and Brittany Evans (Danielson, CT/Killingly) chipped in 10 points.
Tournament MVP: Christine Halter (D’Youville)
All-Tournament Team: Holly Bates (D’Youville), Alyssa Kinney (Buffalo State), Toya Parks (Buffalo State), Danee Harrison (Hartwick), Beth Pion (Becker)
Media Contact:
Jeff Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu