BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Villa Maria College women's basketball team dropped their first game of season on Saturday, as they competed in the Championship Game of the Betty Abgott Invitational. The Vikings battled Bryant and Stratton-Buffalo down to the bitter end, and fell by a final score of 80-78. The loss puts the Vikings at 5-1 on the season, while the Bobcats remain undefeated at 7-0.
Villa had the lead multiple times to start the game, with scores coming from
Precious Adamson and
Estella Anderson.
Dakaylah Winfield,
Jordon Wright and
Ta Lia Burgess all added to the scoring as they jumped out to a 17-9 advantage after the first quarter. The Bobcats quickly made a run to start the second frame and went ahead 21-19, but the two teams proceeded to trades scores. Going into half time, the Vikings were down 38-31.
Villa made a run to open the second-half that started with two made free throws by
Taliah Bush.
Norvonee Hall added two of her own to cut the deficit to three, before
Tekia Gary hit a layup to bring it to one. Hall made a layup a few moments later to reclaim the advantage, 41-40. The teams once again continued to go back and forth and after three quarter, Villa remained behind 58-56.
Gary kicked off the fourth quarter with back-to-back made jump shots to give the Vikings a 61-58 lead. The Vikings got the advantage to double digits after baskets by Hall, Anderson and Burgess put them ahead 71-60. The lead was short lived after the Bobcats made a run to tie the game up at 75-75. At the 1:29 mark, Burgess hit a go-ahead three to put them ahead, but Bryant and Stratton answered a minute later with a game tying bucket behind the arc. The opposition later hit the game winning shot with one second left on the clock.
Burgess led the way with 19 points to go along with seven rebounds and three steals. Hall recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while also dishing out six assists.
Villa is return home on Monday, Nov. 25 when they host Genesee Community College. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. start.
Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Vikings scores and awards by following @VillaVikings on Twitter and by liking the "Villa Maria Vikings" Facebook page.
