AMHERST, N.Y. — Daemen defeated No. 24 Holy Family, 66-61, at Lumsden Gymnasium, led by a career-high 27 points from Ne'vaeh Buntley (Rochester, N.Y.). 

The Wildcats secured the win with a strong defensive effort, forcing 20 turnovers. Daemen also recorded 11 steals and maintained a 30-26 advantage in points in the paint. The Tigers matched the Wildcats in second-quarter scoring but could not overcome the deficit built in the first quarter.

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Buntley scored 27 points, including three 3-pointers, and collected three rebounds. She shot 55% (11-of-20) from the field. 
• Cecilia Lapertosa (Whitesboro, N.Y.) added 15 points, recorded five rebounds, and tallied two blocks. 
• Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.) chipped in with eight points and two steals.
• Julia Fontanillo (Valladolid, Spain) tallied four assists, scored four points, and logged one steal. 
• Sophie Auer (Lewiston, N.Y.) logged four points and three steals, while Shyla Montgomery (Brockton, Mass.) posted five points, two assists, and three rebounds.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Daemen started the game by overcoming an early deficit with a 14-5 run. Buntley contributed significantly, draining a three at 5:26 and later tying the score with a layup at 4:32.  The Wildcats capitalized on the Tigers' turnovers, with Auer and Fontanillo each swiping a steal that led to points. The quarter ended with Daemen leading 18-12.
• The Wildcats extended their lead early in the second quarter with a 3-pointer by Montgomery at 8:08, assisted by Kyleigh Chapman (Canandaigua, N.Y.). Buntley added another 3-pointer at 7:28, further advancing Daemen's advantage. Offensive efforts, including a fast-break 3-pointer by Buntley at 1:38, helped keep the Wildcats ahead. Despite a late 3-pointer by Lapertosa with 17 seconds left, the Tigers managed to close the gap slightly before the half as Daemen led 39-33 at the break. 
• Buntley sank consecutive layups, the first with 1:10 left, assisted by Fontanillo, pushing the home team's lead. Daemen maintained the defensive intensity, highlighted by Lapertosa's block in the final second. Despite the Tigers' late layup, the Wildcats concluded the quarter with a 49-47 advantage.
• Daemen surged ahead in the fourth quarter, breaking a tie with an 8–0 run, highlighted by Buntley's fast-break jumper at 6:51. Pikett's defensive effort with a block and steal helped maintain momentum. The Wildcats' strong inside play, scoring 10 points in the paint, further extended their lead to 59–51 by the midpoint of the quarter.
• The Tigers attempted to close the gap with a fast-break three-pointer by Kara Meredith at 3:22, but Daemen responded with consistent scoring from Lapertosa and Auer. 

GAME NOTES 

• Buntley's 27 points topped her previous career-high of 23 set last season. 
• Fontanillo's four assists led the team
• The Wildcats outscored the Tigers 30-26 in the paint
• Daemen forced 20 Holy Family turnovers and scored 18 points off them
• The Wildcats earned their first win over a nationally ranked opponent since January 3, 2024, when they defeated #5/11 Ferris State 61-56 at home.
• Daemen is now 17-5 against CACC opponents since the start of the 2015-16 season (program's NCAA Division II era) and 4-0 against them this season. 

UP NEXT
Daemen opens ECC play next weekend, hosting Queens at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Molloy at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

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Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

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