EXPRESS SNAP SIX GAME SKID WITH WIN OVER WILDCATS

(Aurora, N.Y.)─ Ashley Roser (Taberg, N.Y./Camden) finished with a career high 33 points and Kristen Ryan (Syracuse, N.Y./Bishop Ludden) chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds to lead the Wells College women's basketball team to a 58-55 victory over the Cazenovia College Wildcats in North Eastern Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon in Aurora. The Express snap a six game skid and improve 3-14 (3-11 NEAC) with the win. The loss drops the Wildcats to 5-9 (3-6 NEAC).
 
Megan Pomarico (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Spackenkill) finished with 15 points and seven rebounds and Jessica Converse (Rose, N.Y./North Rose-Wolcott) added 10 points and eight rebounds to pace the Wildcats.
 
The Express shot just 36 percent from the floor but took advantage of their free-throw opportunities, hitting on 19 of 25 from the line. The Wildcats finished 39 percent from the floor and were just 8 of 15 from the free-throw line, while being dominated on the boards 42-34.
 
It was a back and forth game that featured nine lead changes and 12 ties. The Wildcats took the first lead of the game and would hold a slim lead mid-way through the first half. The Express would go ahead for the first time on a lay-up and would hold a 25-24 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the first half but, two straight lay-ups by Samantha Allen (Sackets Harbor, N.Y./Sackets Harbor) pushed the Wildcats ahead by three, a lead Cazenovia would hold heading into the break up 32-29.
 
The second half would be a battle for both clubs, with neither team taking more than a six point lead in the half. Down 53-52 with less than two minute to play, the Express would meet the challenge. Roser drained two free-throws to take a 54-53 lead and on following possession the defense would force a Wildcat turnover that led to a fast break lay-up and a 56-53 lead with 41-second to play. The Wildcats would pull to within one (56-55) but the defense was forced to foul putting Roser on the line and she responded, hitting both free-throws to ice the game 58-55.
 
The Express return to action next on Jan. 29 when they take on NEAC foe Keuka College at 1 p.m. in Aurora.