Box Score SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- The Skidmore College women's basketball team was downed 64-52 by Western New England University on the first day of the 37th Skidmore Women's Basketball Invitational, Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
 
In the first game of the tournament Oneonta St. defeated Hamilton College 70-65. The Thoroughbreds host the Oneonta tomorrow at 4 p.m., while Western New England will face Hamilton at 2 p.m. in predetermined matchups.
 
Skidmore started the game with an early run, opening up an eleven-point with 7:13 remaining in the first half after Lindsey Davis knocked down a three-pointer. Ali Pessolano brought the Golden Bears within three at halftime, hitting a three-point shot with 42 seconds to play in the first half.
 
The Thoroughbreds got their first basket 4:55 of the second half to end an 11-0 Western New England run to start the second, cutting the Golden Bears lead to 37-31. Skidmore chipped away at the lead, coming within six at 44-38, but the Western New England managed to limit any major scoring runs, securing the 64-52 win.
 
Jordyn Wartts was the Thoroughbreds top scorer with 17 points and Angela Botiba added 14 points, 8 rebounds and four blocks.
 
Shaylyn Sicard led the Golden Bears with 10 points and five assists and Pessolano chipped in with nine points.
 
Skidmore shot 38.0% from the field, while Western New England shot 44.1%, including 53.85% in the second half. 



Oneonta holds off Hamilton in season opener
 
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- The Oneonta St. women's basketball team battled to a 70-65 win against Hamilton College in the opening game of the 2013 Skidmore Invitational.
 
The two teams traded baskets in the early minutes of the first half, but the Red Dragons managed to open their largest lead of the game at 31-20 with 6:47 remaining in the first half.  The Continentals fought back, closing out the first half on a 18-6 run, taking the lead with six seconds to play at 38-37.
 
Oneonta St. started the second 11-4 run to go up 48-41. Carly Gruenberg's three-pointer with 6:40 to play gave Hamilton a one-point lead at 57-56, but the Red Dragons pushed back taking the last lead they would need with their next trip down the floor thanks to a Brianna Spector's three-point shot.
 
Sarah Longto led Oneonta St. with 17 points, Grace Schilling added 16 points, four assists and four steals, and Alyshia Crawford chipped in with 14 points, eight assists and two steals.
 
Samantha Graber was Hamilton's top scorer with 23 points and eight assists, Serena ward scored 14 points and Dani Feigin added 10 points and five assists.
 
Hamilton takes on Western New England tomorrow at 2 p.m., while Oneonta St. faces Skidmore at 4 p.m. in predetermined matchups.