Le Moyne College Women’s Basketball Team Falls to Chicago State in NEC Matchup

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Le Moyne College women’s basketball team returned home to Ted Grant Court for an NEC matchup against the Chicago State Cougars on Saturday afternoon. Despite a strong effort from several players, the Dolphins fell to the Cougars with a final score of 61-55.

With this loss, Le Moyne now has a record of 5-14 overall and 3-3 in conference play this season. The game was marked by key performances from several players, including junior forward Ashley Buragas, who set a new career-high with 23 points. She shot 9-of-15 from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line, making 5-of-6 shots. Buragas also contributed five rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes of play.

Senior guard Sierra Linnin also had a strong performance, scoring 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting. She hit three three-pointers and went 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. Linnin tied junior forward Sydney Postell for the team lead in rebounds with eight each, both setting new career highs.

Junior guard Jessica Wangolo added a team-best six rebounds and one steal in the game. Le Moyne’s shooting stats showed some strength, as they shot 31.1% from the field and made 81.3% of their free throws (13-of-16). They also scored 30 points in the paint and had 13 second-chance points.

On the other side, four different Chicago State players reached double figures in scoring. Brianna Hill led the way with 12 points, while Keona McGee and Kyara Champagne each scored 11 points. Tania Allen added nine points and was a key contributor on the boards with 11 rebounds. McGee finished with 10 rebounds.

The game started with both teams showing intensity. Buragas scored six of the Dolphins’ first seven points in the opening four minutes of the first quarter. After a nearly four-minute dry spell, freshman guard Peyton Dincher hit a free throw to give Le Moyne a 10-8 lead.

Layups by senior guard Michelina Lombardi and freshman forward Rachel Lynch extended the Dolphins’ lead, and they entered the second quarter with a 14-10 advantage. However, Le Moyne allowed nine of the next 10 points, allowing Chicago State to take a 21-20 lead by the midpoint of the second quarter.

Chicago State continued its momentum into the third quarter, extending their lead to eight points early in the frame. A fastbreak layup by McGee gave the Cougars a 35-26 lead at the 5:42 mark. The Cougars led by as much as 13 points before Linnin scored five late points to narrow the gap, giving Chicago State a 48-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Le Moyne made a strong push in the final quarter, cutting the deficit to 50-44 in the first two minutes on baskets from Buragas and freshman guard Kayden Clark. However, the Dolphins’ offense stalled for nearly three minutes with 6:25 remaining.

The Dolphins regrouped and went on a nine-point run, with Buragas, Linnin, and Wangolo each contributing to bring the score to 56-55 with 21 seconds left. After McGee made one of two free throws, Le Moyne had a chance to tie the game but missed a layup. Chicago State then went to the line twice in the final seconds and completed their victory.

Le Moyne will look to bounce back when they travel to Wagner College on Thursday for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Seahawks.