Albany, NY - Women's basketball earns their first win of the season. This comes at the last home game of the semester, and the Panthers seemed ready for this one.
It was just a little less than an hour and a half till tip-off, and the women's basketball team started arriving to the gym, hyped for tonight's matchup. There was something in the air that made everyone feel like the women were ready for this game. They were ready to show what they were made of this season.
Right from the tip, the Panthers and visiting Huskies were trading basket after basket. The Panthers did not show many signs of their recent game struggles of poor shooting to start the game. They were able to connect on close to 30% of their shots, and contained the Huskies well in the first quarter. This helped pave the way for a Panthers two point lead after one. Going into quarter two, the Panthers wanted to continue the momentum they gathered from quarter one. They did just that, and were connecting on 39% of their shots. With strong play from
Dida Slusrasek (Sarasota, FL) and
Clare Snell (Potsdam, NY) the Panthers saw their lead grow to as much as 12. However, strong play from the Huskies near the end of the half cut the Panthers lead to just one point heading into the break.
Although is seemed as if all the momentum moved towards the Huskies, the Panthers did not put their heads down. Overall amazing team play, the Panthers were able to open their lead up back to 9 halfway through the third. Slusrasek and Snell continued their scoring runs, while
Anna Jensen (Valley Falls, NY) and
Erica Scholl (Frankfort, NY) also provided some scoring. However, it was not the scoring that was the only thing the Panthers were showing. Their defense only allowed four Huskie points in the third quarter to head into the final quarter up 41-30. In the fourth, all the Panthers starters found the bottom of the net as they were not allowing the Huskies to attempt a comeback.
Ejoraa Ninche (Seldan, NY) led the charge in the fourth quarter, scoring 5 points. The Panthers held on and finished getting their first win of the season by a score of 54-43. Snell finished with 16 points, and Slusrasek joined her as the only other Panther in double figures finishing with 14 points, and grabbing 11 rebounds for a double double.
After the game coach Stock was asked to give her thoughts on the game, and finally getting in the win column. Stock said "I think it takes the pressure off, I think from both a team and coaches standpoint, it is good to get a win under your belt. For me, tonight it was a team win. I told that to the girls in the locker room. We have struggled a bit to come together...so today was good to see the ball being shared around the floor. A couple players stepped up, gave their all, and even played injured. It was a collective team win."
The Panthers have a couple day offs before heading to take on Bunker Hill on 12/11 for their last game before winter break.
How to follow the Panthers: For the latest information on ACPHS athletics, visit acphspanthers.com or check out the ACPHS athletics social media platforms on Instagram @ACPHSPanthers or Twitter @ACPHSAthletics.
