PURCHASE, N.Y. — The Cedar Crest College basketball team defeated Lehman College, 81-75, with a commanding 50-35 rebounding advantage on Saturday morning. 

The Falcons opened strong in the first quarter, pressuring the Lightning into early turnovers and capitalizing with a quick layup by junior Weronika Swojak (Warsaw, Poland/The Orme School), assisted by junior Analyse Rios (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek). Cedar Crest continued to assert control with Rios sinking a three-pointer, extending the lead to 5–0. The team maintained momentum throughout the quarter, with key defensive plays, including seven steals, contributing to their advantage.

The visitors dominated the paint, scoring 18 points inside, and demonstrated effective ball movement, recording six assists. The stanza concluded with the Falcons leading 22–10, showcasing their ability to build a significant lead early in the contest.

Cedar Crest opened the second quarter with effective shooting, converting four of seven attempts from beyond the arc, including a pair from sophomore Ella Bincarosky (Coopersburg, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic). Junior Samora Merchant (Danbury, Conn./Henry Abbott Technical) contributed significantly in the paint, adding multiple baskets to maintain momentum. Despite Lehman's push with strong inside scoring,the Falcons' defensive rebounds and assists, particularly by Rios, helped sustain their lead.

Both teams scored 25 points in the second quarter, with Cedar Crest closing by extending their lead to 47–35 at the half.

The third quarter began with the Falcons maintaining a strong offensive presence, highlighted by Rios' consistent scoring. Even though the Lightnings' efforts to close the gap, the Cedar Crest defense forced turnovers, allowing for quick transitions. First-year Gabrielle Moore (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) contributed with a crucial three-pointer, supporting the team's momentum.

Throughout the quarter, the Falcons managed effective ball movement, with Rios and Swojak making significant contributions in the paint. Lehman pushed back with points in the paint and fast breaks, keeping the score close. Cedar Crest closed the quarter leading 67–56, sustaining their advantage into the final quarter.

The Falcons entered the fourth quarter with a lead, but the Lightning quickly narrowed the gap with first-year Isabela Araujo's (Brooklyn, N.Y.) three-pointer. Cedar Crest responded with a timely defensive stop and a layup from Rios, assisted by sophomore Ginger Kerdock (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck), extending their advantage to 72–63.

Throughout the stanza, the Falcons maintained pressure, highlighted by Merchant's layup and Bincarosky's assist, which helped sustain their lead. Despite the effort from Lehman, including senior Emily Kennedy (Brooklyn, N.Y.)'s layup, Cedar Crest capitalized on free throws from Rios to maintain a firm grasp on the score.

In the closing minutes, the Falcons defense held steady, rebounding effectively and preventing the Lightning from further closing the gap. Rios' free throws in the final seconds secured Cedar Crest's 81–75 victory. 

Rios posted 22 points and recorded six assists while collecting eight rebounds and four steals. Merchant added 14 points and led the team with 14 rebounds, including five on the offensive end and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Swojak scored 15 points and contributed 10 rebounds. Bincarosky tallied 15 points, converting three of her ten attempts from beyond the arc and received MVP honors for the tournament.

Junior Sage Fanelli (Saugerties, N.Y.) led the team with 19 points, going 7-for-21 from the field, including three three-pointers, and added four steals. Graduate student Heaven Figueroa (Brooklyn, N.Y.) topped the scoring chart with 22 points, shooting 7-for-13 from the floor and 7-for-9 from the free-throw line, while also contributing eight rebounds and three steals. Kennedy showed efficiency, scoring 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting and grabbing two steals.

Cedar Crest College (2-0 overall) hosts Penn State Hazleton in its home opener on Tuesday, November 11 at 6:00 p.m. Lehman (1-1 overall) will return home to host Montclair State University on Wednesday, November 12 at 5:30 p.m.