ONEONTA, NY – Visiting Sage erased an 18-point second-half deficit to force overtime, but Hartwick prevailed in the extra period for a 67-60 in the season opener for both teams on Sunday at Lambros Arena. The Hawks outscored the Gators 9-2 and held Sage without a basket in the extra five minutes to seal the win.
Hartwick was paced by senior guard Lauren Ploof (Hammond, NY/Hammond) who netted 17 points, including four in the overtime period. Fritzi Flores (Bergenfield, NJ/Paramus Catholic) contributed 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds and Laneka Brown (Spring Glen, NY/Ellenville) dropped in 10 points for 'Wick.
The Gators were led by Elizabeth Donk who scored a game-high 20 points. Jessica Byerwalters contributed 18 points.
Sage jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead to start the game and maintained the edge for much of the first half. The Gators lead grew to eight points, 22-14, with 6:27 to play in the first session before the Hawks battled back. 'Wick would close out the half on a 15-3 run, with Ploof giving the Hawks their first lead with a three-point play with 1:42 showing on the clock.
In the second half, Hartwick scored the first 13 points to take a 42-25 lead. Two three-pointers by Ploof, and one from Brown aided in the Hawk run. Sage would slowly chip away at the lead, and following a 15-0 run in a 6:15 span, the Gators would tie the score at 49-49 with four and half minutes left.
A trey by Flores on the next possession regained the lead for Hartwick which they held onto until Carlin DeMarinis nailed a three-pointer with 1:25 remaining to tie it at 56-56. Cassie Dresser's (Ovid, NY/South Seneca) driving layup with 47 ticks on the clock briefly gave Hartwick the edge once again, but a layup by Byerwalters with 28 seconds left even the score again. On the Hawks' final possession, Brown missed a three and Jalicia Conell's (Westbery, NY/Hicksville) put-back went off the rim sending the game to overtime.
Ploof would score four points with Conell and Brown each adding baskets as the Hawks pulled it out in the extra five minutes. The Gators would go 0-for-7 from the floor in the overtime with only a pair of free-throws accounting for their points.
Hartwick travels to Buffalo next weekend to take part in the Buffalo State Tournament. The Hawks oppose Alfred on Friday at 1 p.m.
