DELHI, N.Y. (January 26, 2020) – The SUNY Delhi women's basketball team survived a strong second half by Valley Forge on Saturday to take a 68-61 home win over the Patriots. A 34-22 Broncos halftime lead was suddenly shortened to two by the end of the third quarter. The two teams exchanged leads throughout the fourth period before Delhi reeled off the final nine points to pull away, improving to 5-15 on the season and 4-4 to close out January.
Junior Kiera Holland was recognized prior to the game in her first home game since reaching 1,000 career points at Husson on January 15. Teammate and fellow 1,000-point scorer Samiaya Salley presented Holland with her ceremonial gift for reaching the milestone. Holland became the third Bronco in SUNY Delhi Women's Basketball history to reach the four-digit milestone, alongside Salley (2016-Pres.) and Jennifer LePinnet-Clark (2002-04).
Delhi scored the first six points of the game and took a swift 13-2 lead halfway through the first quarter. Though UVF would catch up to get to within one possession, the Broncos regained control, bumping their lead by as much as 18 points in the second quarter to lead, 34-22, at the half. Any hopes of a comfortable win were quickly dashed after a commanding third quarter by the Patriots put them within a basket at 42-40.
UVF opened the fourth with a three for its first lead of the game. Sam Acuna responded with a three on the Broncos' ensuing possession to take back the lead. The women took three five-point leads over roughly the next two minutes before a mid-quarter Patriots run led to a neck-and-neck stretch that saw six lead changes, with neither side leading by more than two points. Valley Forge's Amaya Brown drilled a 3-pointer to put UVF back in front, 61-59, with 3:15 to go, which ended up being their last points of the contest. Delhi came out of a 30-second timeout with a well-designed play that led to Salley's game-tying layup. An ensuing Patriots offensive foul put the ball back in Delhi's hands, where Camryn McDonald was sent to the line to drill two free throws. After a missed UVF 3-pointer, McDonald again came through with the board and then a layup for the two-possession lead. Delhi's defense stood firm to hold the lead, with three free throws by Holland accounting for the remaining points.
Four Broncos finished in double digits in scoring, with Salley leading the way with 16 points, making 3-of-4 threes, along with seven rebounds and five assists. Holland made 14 points off the bench, adding three rebounds and three assists. Sam Acuna notched 11 points, making 3-of-5 threes, while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists. Katelyn Lewis garnered 11 points with four boards. McDonald just missed out on a double-double with nine points and ten rebounds. Diana Echols netted three points and pulled in seven boards.
Delhi shot 40.0 percent (22-for-55) for the game, making 9-of-21 triples and 15-of-24 free throws. The Patriots finished at 32.4 percent (23-for-71), 8-of-34, and 7-of-9, respectively. Delhi held a substantial 50-34 lead in rebounds and a 26-9 advantage in bench points. The Broncos were guilty of 25 turnovers, which the Patriots converted into a 24-7 lead in points off turnovers.
Head coach Lauren McRoberts' team has five games remaining this regular season, starting with a home meeting with Pine Manor Sunday, Feb. 2 at 1:00 p.m. They travel to face Albany Pharmacy on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 6:00 p.m., then return for their home finale versus Norwich Thursday, Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. The Broncos spend the following Saturdays heading to Marywood on Saturday, Feb. 8, then a rematch at Valley Forge Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1:00 p.m.
