LAS VEGAS, Nev. — #25 Daemen (9-2, 4-0 ECC) fell to Montana State Billings (8-7, 0-2 Great Northwest) on Sunday at South Point Arena, 63-55, to wrap up the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic. 

A slow start put the Wildcats down double-digits early. Daemen cut it down to single digits at six in the final quarter, but it could not complete the comeback. 

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.) led the Wildcats with 19 points, converting 10 of 12 free throws and adding four blocks and four steals. 
• Cecilia Lapertosa (Whitesboro, N.Y.) recorded 14 points and collected five rebounds while also contributing two steals. 
• Sophie Auer (Lewiston, N.Y.) added seven points and secured six rebounds, alongside three steals. 
• Ne'vaeh Buntley (Rochester, N.Y.) finished with four points and blocked two shots, rounding out the defensive effort.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Daemen opened the game with defensive intensity, highlighted by Buntley's two blocks and four steals in the first quarter. Despite this strong start on defense, the Wildcats struggled offensively, making only 3 of 14 field goal attempts. Shyla Montgomery (Brockton, Mass.) and Lapertosa contributed in the paint, each scoring layups to keep the team competitive early. MSU Billings led 16-6 at the end of the first quarter.
• Daemen sparked a rally midway through the second quarter with Lapertosa's layup at 8:26, reducing the deficit. Montgomery's assist to Lapertosa for another layup at 0:53 further cut the Yellowjackets' lead, as the Wildcats tightened their defense with multiple blocks and steals, including a pivotal steal by Auer at the final buzzer. The quarter concluded with Daemen outscoring MSUB 9-7, closing the gap to 23-15 at halftime.
• The Wildcats opened the third quarter with intensity as Buntley quickly capitalized on a turnover with a layup at 9:22. Despite a strong defensive effort, including a block by Pikett, Daemen struggled to keep pace with MSUB's scoring as it trailed 45-33 at the end of the quarter. 
• In the fourth, Daemen started the quarter with a layup by Lapertosa at 9:45, assisted by Pikett, narrowing the gap to 45-35. Pikett contributed two free throws shortly after, and continued her impactful play with a steal leading to a jumper by Buntley at 8:15. The Yellowjackets maintained their lead, with a fast-break layup at 5:33. Pikett hit a 3-pointer with 58 seconds remaining, cutting into the deficit, but MSUB managed to sustain their advantage.

GAME NOTES

• Pikett recorded multiple steals for the fourth straight game. Her four blocks also marked a season-high.
• Auer posted multiple steals for the sixth time in seven games.
• Daemen forced 17 Yellowjackets turnovers and scored 16 points off them.
• The Wildcats' defense registered eight blocks and 12 steals, but the Yellowjackets secured a significant advantage on the boards, out-rebounding Daemen 50-35 to seal the victory.
• The points in the paint finished even with both teams scoring 32.

UP NEXT
The Wildcats start the new year on the road, taking on Bentley at 2 p.m. on Jan 1.

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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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