BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Villa Maria College women's basketball team took on Bryant and Stratton-Buffalo on Saturday in a post-season game as they begin to get ready for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Basketball Championships. After a hard-fought battle, the Vikings were unable to complete a comeback as they fell by a final score of 68-58. 
 
Villa was able to get out to an early lead thanks to made baskets by Estella Anderson and Tekia Gary. The Bobcats made a comeback to grab a lead of their own, but the Vikings continued to score thanks to five straight points from Norvonee Hall. The two teams traded baskets and as the clock went down, Ta Lia Burgess was able to knock down a three-pointer to take an 18-15 lead into the second quarter. Throughout the third quarter Villa was able to remain in control thanks to makes by Hall, Gary, Taliah Bush and clutch makes by Jordon Wright and Dakaylah Winfield. As the halftime horn went off, Villa led 35-29. 
 
The Vikings stumbled in the third quarter as they were outscored 22-6 and fell behind 52-41 heading into the final frame. Burgess initiated a comeback with a three-pointer and it was followed by a free-throw by Gary and layup by Bianca Brown to cut the deficit to six points. The run continued with another bucket by Gary and a pair of free-throws by Anderson pushed the score to 53-51. With 5:57 on the clock Wright was able to tie the game up with a layup. Unfortunately, the team was unable to reclaim a lead and fell by a final score of 68-59. 
 
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