ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Hartwick Hawks Women's Basketball team went head to head with Russell Sage, taking the Gators to overtime but were just edged out in conference play on Tuesday evening at Lambros Arena.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Russell Sage 68 Hartwick 63
Location: Oneonta, NY | Lambros Arena
Records: Russell Sage (12-6, 7-2 Empire 8) • Hartwick (4-14, 1-8 Empire 8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks wrapped up their six-game homestand with a hard-fought battle against the conference's fourth-place Russell Sage Gators, pushing the visitors to the limit before ultimately being edged out in a tightly contested back-and-forth matchup that went to overtime.
Russell Sage opened the scoring with back-to-back baskets before Yadi Smith (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) got Hartwick on the board, knocking down two triples off assists from Macy Durkin (Syracuse, N.Y.). Smith and Durkin continued to fuel the Blue and White offense as Smith forced a steal and Durkin finished on the other end. Emma Cohen (Utica, N.Y.) drilled her first three of the night to tie the game at 11 before the Hawks' active defense created additional opportunities. Cohen picked off a Gator pass and attacked the rim, Smith grabbed an offensive rebound and buried her third three of the quarter, and Leah Schoonover (Fredericksburg, Va.) added a running floater to give Hartwick a four-point edge. Smith followed with a perfect trip to the free throw line before forcing another turnover and converting two more at the stripe. Cohen capped the opening frame with another triple, sending the Hawks into the second quarter with a six-point advantage.
Jessica Bowens (Malta, N.Y.) opened the second with a free throw and Niamh Kelly (Latham, N.Y.) added a running floater before Russell Sage used a run to pull even. Durkin responded with back-to-back driving baskets, but the Gators reclaimed the lead with an old-fashioned three-point play. Both teams went scoreless over the final two minutes, allowing Russell Sage to take a one-point lead into halftime.
The Gators opened the third quarter with consecutive baskets as Hartwick's shooting struggles carried over. Cohen sparked the response with another three, followed by a Durkin steal and finish as Smith continued to distribute. After Russell Sage briefly regained the lead, Cohen buried her fourth triple of the night to keep the game tight. Free throws on both sides dominated the closing minutes before Smith knocked down four at the line and Durkin added a driving score to knot the game at 44 heading into the fourth.
Russell Sage struck first in the final quarter, but Bowens answered inside and Schoonover drained a triple to give Hartwick a three-point edge. Defensive intensity picked up on both ends before a Gator basket tied the game with 4:24 remaining. Durkin broke the tie with a deep three, but foul trouble allowed Russell Sage to even the score at the line. Cohen converted two free throws before setting up Durkin for a go-ahead basket with under two minutes to play. The Gators answered with a score in the final seconds, forcing overtime after Hartwick's last-second attempt fell short.
Cohen opened overtime with her career-high fifth three-pointer and Schoonover followed with a basket to give the Hawks momentum. Russell Sage responded with a triple before Bowens scored inside. A Gator and-one pulled the visitors within one, and a Hartwick turnover led to a fast-break basket that gave Sage the edge. The Hawks were unable to overcome late free throws as the Gators sealed the conference victory.
Yadi Smith led the way in her return to the starting lineup, posting a season-high 17 points while recording her first career double-double with 10 rebounds. She also added career highs of eight assists and five steals, adding a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Cohen matched Smith with 17 points, knocking down five three-pointers while adding three assists and a career-high five steals. Macy Durkin turned in another all-around performance, collecting her fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five assists, two steals, and two blocks.
UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will head on the road to Geneseo for their first road contest since January 10th, taking on the Knights on Friday, January 30th at 5:30 PM.
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
