LAS VEGAS, Nev. —Cecilia Lapertosa (Whitesboro, N.Y.) recorded a double-double and career-high in points (28) to help #25 Daemen (9-1, 4-0 ECC) defeat Texas A&M University-Kingsville (0-9, 0-3 Lone Star), 80-75 in overtime to kick off the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic on Saturday at South Point Arena. 

 Daemen capitalized on turnovers, scoring 25 points off TAMUK's 25 giveaways, and secured the win with a strong 15-point performance in the extra period. 

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Lapertosa scored 28 points and collected 10 rebounds, leading the team in both categories. She also recorded five steals and two blocks. 
• Ne'vaeh Buntley (Rochester, N.Y.) added 19 points and converted all 10 of her free throw attempts. The sophomore also grabbed five rebounds and recorded a steal. 
• Shyla Montgomery (Brockton, Mass.) logged seven assists and tallied five steals, contributing significantly on both ends of the court. 
• Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.) posted two blocks and added two steals, strengthening the team's defensive efforts.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Daemen opened the game with a strong offensive performance, highlighted by Pikett's early layup and subsequent free throw at 6:38, which helped establish an initial lead. The Wildcats capitalized on turnovers, including a steal by Lapertosa that led to a fast-break layup by Pikett at 5:27, extending their advantage. The Wildcats' defense forced seven turnovers from TAMUK, while Buntley and Montgomery both contributed from beyond the arc. The quarter concluded with the Wildcats leading 22–11.
• Daemen started the second quarter with a strong play as Lapertosa, assisted by Brianna Caliri (Staten Island, N.Y.), scored a layup just 11 seconds into the quarter. The Wildcats capitalized at the free-throw line, with Buntley converting two crucial attempts at 6:13 that helped maintain their edge as Daemen led 30–29 at the half.
• The Wildcats turned the tide with a 10-2 run early in the third quarter, starting with Montgomery's steal and fast-break layup. Daemen continued with the defensive pressure, including Sophie Auer's (Lewiston, N.Y.) steal and layup, to build a 9-point lead at 7:15. TAMUK responded, narrowing the gap with a series of inside baskets, but Daemen maintained their edge, highlighted by Julia Fontanillo's (Valladolid, Spain) crucial 3-pointer at 2:07. The quarter ended with 50–49 score in the Wildcats' favor.
• In a tense fourth quarter, Daemen briefly took control with a 7-2 run, including a fastbreak layup by Caliri at 7:48. Lapertosa was instrumental, contributing crucial points, including a jumper at 6:01, assisted by Auer. Despite the Wildcats' defensive efforts, the Javelinas managed to tie the game at 58-58 with a three-pointer at 4:41. The back-and-forth battle continued with Daemen regaining the lead through a three-pointer by Auer at 3:34. Texas A&M Kingsville inched ahead at 1:17 with a layup, but Lapertosa's layup with just 4 seconds remaining tied the game at 65-65 as it went to overtime. 
• In OT, Daemen capitalized on late-game opportunities to secure a narrow victory. Lapertosa's three-pointer at 1:10 marked a pivotal moment, extending their lead to four points. Buntley was instrumental from the line, hitting crucial free throws, including two at the two-second mark, to fend off the Javelinas' comeback efforts. 

GAME NOTES

• Lapertosa posted her second double-double of the season and the 14th of her career. The senior's five steals tied her career-high. 
• Daemen forced 25 Javelinas turnovers and scored 25 points off them.
• The Wildcats shot 39.7% (27-of-68) from the field. 
• Montgomery's seven assists marked a career best. 
• Daemen has now won seven straight games.
   

UP NEXT
The Wildcats wrap up the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic with a game against Montana State Billings on Sunday at 11:15 am PST at South Point Arena.