Box Score LA PLUME, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College basketball team fell to SUNY Poly, 37-36, on Saturday afternoon in the Keystone College Tip-Off Tournament. 

The Falcons began the first quarter with solid defensive efforts, including two blocks by junior Samora Merchant (Danbury, Conn./Henry Abbott Technical), which helped limit the Wildcats' early opportunities. Offensively, the team struggled to find rhythm, missing all attempts from beyond the arc and going 0-for-20 from the field. The Falcons' only points came from free throws by first year first-year Brooke Leonardi (Stewartsville, N.J./Phillipsburg) late in the frame. SUNY Poly capitalized on Cedar Crest's shooting difficulties, scoring twice from inside the paint and adding two free throws to extend their lead. The Falcons closed the quarter trailing, with the scoreboard reading 8-2 in favor of SUNY Poly.

Cedar Crest began the second quarter with a focus on defensive efforts, capturing four steals and securing nine defensive rebounds. Despite some challenges in field goal shooting, the Falcons capitalized on second-chance opportunities, with sophomore Ginger Kerdock (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) converting an offensive rebound into a tip-in to reduce the gap. Momentum shifted late in the quarter as sophomore Ella Bincarosky (Coopersburg, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) hit a crucial three-pointer at the 1:28 mark, bringing the Falcons closer. However, the Wildcats managed to maintain a slight edge, closing the quarter with a fast break layup. At the end of the stanza, the Falcons trailed 18-11.

Cedar Crest started the third quarter by overcoming an initial deficit, highlighted by Bincarosky's triple at 8:47 to narrow the gap. The Falcons capitalized on a series of turnovers by SUNY Poly, with Merchant contributing key free throws to tighten the score further. As the quarter progressed, the Cedar Crest defense intensified, forcing seven turnovers and converting them into points. Notably, Kerdock's three-pointer at 2:55 brought the team within striking distance. The Falcons closed the quarter with a scoring burst, including first-year Gabrielle Moore's (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) fast-break three-pointer at 0:39, securing an 18–7 edge in the quarter and leading 32–25 heading into the final frame.

Cedar Crest began the fourth quarter with Bincarosky's three-pointer, assisted by first-year Hailey Wolbeck (Hemet, Calif./Western Center Academy), to maintain a lead. However, turnovers and fouls hampered their momentum, allowing SUNY Poly to close the gap with points in the paint and critical rebounds. Junior Analyse Rios (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) added another three-pointer midway through the quarter, but the  capitalized on second-chance opportunities and tied the score at 35–35 with just over two minutes left. The Falcons struggled with turnovers, and SUNY Poly seized the lead with a late layup. Despite a late free throw from Rios cutting the deficit to one, the Falcons fell short in the final seconds. SUNY Poly's defense held, and the Falcons concluded the quarter trailing 37–36.

Rios recorded four steals and added five rebounds, contributing defensively. Kerdock matched with four steals and also recorded eight rebounds alongside four assists. Merchant posted two blocks and collected seven rebounds. Bincarosky scored 12 points, converting four three-pointers. 

Junior Kayla Wilson (Queens, N.Y.) dominated the glass, securing 16 rebounds with 10 coming on the offensive end. Junior Alysa Jackson (Rome, N.Y.) was a defensive force, recording six steals and contributing eight rebounds. First-year Bryanna Lucas (Queens, N.Y.) led the scoring effort with 10 points, hitting five of her nine field-goal attempts and adding two steals. Sophomore Sanaa Lee (Harlem, N.Y.) provided a strong defensive presence with five blocks and grabbed 12 rebounds.

The Falcon's (3-2 overall) will host Trinity Washington University on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. SUNY Poly (2-1 overall) will host SUNY Canton on November 18 at 6 p.m. in Utica, N.Y.