Women Start Hot, Finish Strong to Defeat SUNY Canton

Samiaya Salley looking upcourt with the ball looking to pass to a teammate.

DELHI, N.Y. (January 4, 2020) – Three SUNY Delhi women's basketball players scored in double figures Saturday as the Broncos opened 2020 with a 65-59 win over SUNY Canton. Delhi surged to as much as a 15-point lead in the first half, then overcame a shaky third quarter to finish strong and move to 2-11 on the season.

While the Roos also had three finish in double figures, including a game-best 24 points from Canton's Autumn Watkins, Delhi pulled through on the heels of Samiaya Salley netting a season-high 21 points, including four 3-pointers, with four rebounds and four assists, Katelyn Lewis with 12 points and six rebounds, and Kiera Holland with 11 points and four boards, making a pair of threes. Diana Echols recorded eight points with five rebounds. Justine Lubbers led the team with 11 rebounds as the Broncos finished with a 51-40 lead on the boards. She also finished with six points. Brenna Gioffe ranked second for Delhi with seven rebounds, while Sam Acuna pulled in six boards.

The Broncos raced out to a 14-5 lead after one quarter, bolstered by making 4-of-7 threes in the opening period. They then nearly doubled that scoring effort in the second period with 27 points for a 41-28 lead at the half. The Roos responded furiously in the third period, outscoring Delhi, 18-8, to cut the Broncos' lead to 49-46. Canton nearly had Delhi's lead down to one at 47-46, but Echols' layup at the buzzer gave the Broncos a little breathing room and momentum entering the fourth period. The women then opened the fourth with an 8-2 run and remained comfortable ahead for the win.

Delhi finished at 37.3 percent shooting (25-for-67), making 9-of-23 threes, while Canton shot 32.3 percent (21-for-65) and 6-of-29, respectively. The Broncos recorded a 26-18 lead in points in the paint, and their depth was on full display with a 21-0 advantage in bench points.

The women now set their sights on Northern Vermont University to open next week, heading first to NVU Johnson on Monday for a 3:00 p.m. matchup, followed by NVU Lyndon on Tuesday at 12 noon. The Broncos are back home next Saturday, Jan. 11 to take on Maine Fort Kent at 12 noon.