AMHERST, N.Y. — Daemen defeated Queens 68-62 in its ECC opener at Lumsden Gymnasium, securing the win late with a 7-1 run in the final two minutes after the Knights fought back to tie the game earlier in the fourth. 

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Ne'vaeh Buntley (Rochester, N.Y.) scored 19 points and collected eight rebounds while adding three steals. Cecilia Lapertosa posted five blocks and recorded nine rebounds, contributing five assists. 
• Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.) finished with 18 points and converted six of eight free throws. 
• Shyla Montgomery (Brockton, Mass.) added seven points and four steals, alongside three assists.
• Sophie Auer (Lewiston, N.Y.) posted nine points while recording two steals and grabbing three rebounds. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Daemen opened play with a quick start, as Buntley drained a 3-pointer just five seconds into the quarter, assisted by Montgomery. The team maintained momentum with a fast-break layup by Pikett at 5:29, pushing their lead to 7-3. Lapertosa contributed defensively with two key blocks. However, Queens managed to pull ahead in the final moments, giving the Knights a 14-12 edge at the end of the first quarter.
• The Wildcats seized momentum midway through the second quarter with a series of successful long-range shots, highlighted by Pikett's fastbreak 3-pointer at 6:28. The home team capitalized on Queens' turnovers, adding to their lead as Pikett contributed another 3-pointer at 5:50 and a layup at 4:50, pushing Daemen ahead. The Wildcats maintained their advantage, leading 34–30 at halftime.
• Daemen initiated a decisive run in the third quarter, taking advantage of Queens' turnovers to create fast-break opportunities. Auer's early layup set the tone, while Buntley extended the lead with a 3-pointer at 7:28. Although Queens tied the score midway through, Lapertosa's layup at 5:05 regained the advantage for the home team. Daemen then pulled away with a strong finish, highlighted by Joline Raposo's (Tampa, Fla.) layup with 54 seconds remaining as Daemen led 49–41 at the end of the third. 
• In the fourth, Daemen maintained control early with a key defensive play by Auer, leading to a fast-break layup by Montgomery at 9:35, assisted by Lapertosa. Despite a brief run by Queens, the Wildcats responded with Buntley's layup and free throws to push their lead. Auer's pivotal 3-pointer at 2:40 reclaimed the lead for Daemen after Queens had briefly surged ahead. The Wildcats solidified their advantage in the final minute with crucial free throws from Buntley and Pikett, ultimately securing a 68-62 victory.

GAME NOTES

• The Wildcats outscored the Knights 23-7 in fastbreak points.
• Daemen logged 16 steals in the game, forcing 20 turnovers from Queens and scoring 22 points off them. 
• Lapertosa's five blocks marked a season-high
• Buntley's eight rebounds were a season-high. 

UP NEXT
The Wildcats close the weekend hosting 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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