BUFFALO, N.Y.—The Villa Maria College women's basketball team played their second home game of the season and it was an impressive performance. They hosted Bryant and Stratton Albany on Thursday and walked away with a 93-78 victory thanks to five double-digit scorers and a triple-double by Maria Falagna.
 
The Vikings jumped out to an early lead after a made three-pointer by Leah McQuiller who hit two in the first quarter. Chmicka Kennedy and Taliah Bush were efficient in the opening ten minutes, shooting a combined 4-for-7 to tally nine points that helped keep the lead. After one quarter, Villa led 19-15. They began to extend the lead in the second frame, starting with two made free-throws by Cortinea Smith and then two more by McQuiller to make the advantage double-digits. Autumn Adams-Edwards, Smith and Falagna pushed the lead to 17 points at the 5:50 mark after hitting back-to-back-to-back three pointers. The Bobcats battled back to cut their deficit back to single digits heading into half-time. The Vikings held a 46-37 advantage at the mid-way point.
 
Villa came out of half-time on a mission to put the game away and they outscored the Bobcats 26-16 in the third quarter. Smith was a big part of that, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds in a full ten minutes of action. Falagna also took her turn running the offense and dished out five assists, while collecting six rebounds of her own. Heading into the final quarter of the game, the Vikings were ahead 72-53. The Bobcats turned up their intensity, scoring 25 fourth quarter points, but Villa was able to stifle any runs with baskets of their own. Danyea Barclay began to take advantage of mismatches in the paint, shooting 5-for-6 from the field to total ten points in six minutes. When all was said and done, the Vikings earned a 93-78 win.
 
Falagna recorded a triple-double with 12 points, ten assists and 12 rebounds, but also added three steals and two blocks. Smith was the scoring leader with 20 points and finished with 11 rebounds for a double-double. McQuiller was 4-for-9 from three, scoring 16 total points, while Adams-Edwards and Barclay each added 15 points apiece. Kennedy was also all over the court with nine points, four steals, seven rebounds and five assists.
 
The team will remain at home on Saturday, as they host Fisher College at the Villa Athletic Center. Tip-Off is scheduled for 12:30 pm and will be followed by men's basketball.
 
Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Viking's scores and news by following @VillaVikings on Twitter, @villavikings on Instagram and by liking the "Villa Maria Vikings" Facebook page.