LA PLUME, Pa.- The Keystone College women's basketball team put together one of its most complete efforts of the young season, but a dominant third quarter from SUNY Poly proved to be the difference as the Giants fell 60–52 Friday evening in the opening game of their tip-off tournament.
Keystone led 15–9 after the first quarter behind sharp outside shooting and an active defensive effort. Aaliyah Barnes (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) set the tone early with nine first-quarter points, including a trio of three-pointers, while Tayana Bibbins (Lincoln, Del./Sussex Technical) added four points as the Giants controlled the pace and forced SUNY Poly into 3-of-14 shooting in the period.
The second quarter settled into a grind, with both teams trading stops. Daphney Cadichon (Long Island, N.Y./Canarsie) provided an offensive spark for the Giants, scoring eight points in the frame on a pair of threes and a strong drive to the basket.
The Wildcats leaned on Kayla Wilson, who grabbed eight rebounds in the quarter and scored seven points to keep the Wildcats close. Keystone carried a 27–21 lead into halftime.
The game shifted dramatically out of the break. SUNY Poly's Alysa Jackson exploded for 18 points in the third quarter alone, knocking down four threes and repeatedly capitalizing on Keystone turnovers.
The Giants briefly held a 30–27 lead after another Barnes three, but the Wildcats surged ahead with a 21–10 run to close the quarter and entered the fourth with a 48–40 advantage.
Keystone pushed back early in the fourth when Bibbins buried a three to cut the deficit to 50–43, then later scored again from deep to make it 58–50 with just over a minute remaining.
However, SUNY Poly's defense tightened, and the Wildcats were able to hold off the Giants' late push.
Barnes led Keystone with 19 points and eight rebounds while hitting five threes. Bibbins added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, and Cadichon finished with 10 points. Phaneirra Barnett (Baltimore, Md./Edgewood) anchored the interior with 11 rebounds.
Jackson was the difference-maker for the Wildcats, finishing with a game-high 32 points on 10-of-17 shooting and seven made threes. Wilson added a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, and Bryanna Lucas contributed seven points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Giants shot 38.5 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three. SUNY Poly held a 47–40 rebounding edge and outscored the Giants 22–8 in points off turnovers.
Keystone (0-3) resumes tournament action tomorrow when they face Clarkson University at 3 p.m.
