AMHERST, N.Y. — #23 Daemen (13-2, 6-0 ECC) defeated Staten Island (6-10, 2-3 ECC), 78-52, at Lumsden Gymnasium Sunday afternoon. 

The Wildcats controlled the contest with a 40-12 advantage in points in the paint and forced 21 turnovers, converting them into 21 points. The Dolphins' effort was highlighted by 14 made free throws, but they struggled with 32% shooting from the field.

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.) led the team with 22 points, making nine of her 15 field goal attempts and contributing four steals. 
• Ne'vaeh Buntley (Rochester, N.Y.) scored 17 points, including two 3-pointers, and added six rebounds. 
• Shyla Montgomery (Brockton, Mass.) posted 10 points and recorded three steals. 
• Brianna Caliri (Staten Island, N.Y.) made both of her free throws and tallied two blocks.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Daemen began the first quarter with strong plays in the paint, as Buntley and Pikett both scored. The Wildcats maintained the momentum with solid defensive efforts, limiting CSI's second-chance opportunities. Daemen continued to capitalize on critical possessions, highlighted by Joline Raposo's (Tampa, Fla.) 3-pointer off an assist by Pikett. The Wildcats ended the quarter ahead 15-13.
• Daemen opened the second by capitalizing on turnovers, forcing seven while Montgomery secured multiple steals. Montgomery's quick layups in transition helped extend the Wildcats' lead early in the quarter.  Daemen led 35–25 at halftime. 
• In the third, Daemen opened the quarter with a strong offensive showing, highlighted by a jumper from Sophie Auer (Lewiston, N.Y.) assisted by Pikett, at 9:51. The team maintained momentum with Pikett contributing a layup shortly after. Auer's three-pointer at 7:32, assisted by Kyleigh Chapman (Canandaigua, N.Y.), extended the lead further, capitalizing on defensive stops and turnovers. Later, Raposo hit a three-pointer, assisted by Reece Beaver (Busti, N.Y.), increasing Daemen's advantage. The quarter closed with Daemen leading 56–40, having outscored CSI 21–15 in the third. 
• Daemen began the fourth with Buntley's early 3-pointer and consistent rebounding from Chapman. Pikett's jumper at 7:57 advanced the score, while Raposo provided key assists to maintain offensive momentum. The home team capitalized on turnovers, with several steals leading to points, including a layup by Beaver that pushed the lead further. Daemen closed the quarter with a strong performance at the free-throw line and consistent scoring in the paint to secure the win. 

GAME NOTES

• Caliri's five rebounds marked a season-high
• The Wildcats shot 49.2% (29-of-59) from the field. 
• Daemen held CSI to 32.1% shooting, including a 25% mark from three.
• The Wildcats scored 21 points off 21 Dolphin turnovers.
• Daemen's defense logged 14 steals and three blocks in the game.  
• The Wildcats are now 11-0 all-time against the Dolphins

UP NEXT
The Wildcats are back on the road next weekend, heading to Queens on Jan. 16 for a 5 p.m. game before taking on Molloy at 12 p.m. on Jan. 18.

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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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