ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. — The #23 Daemen University women's basketball team (15-2, 8-0 ECC) secured a 73-60 victory over the Molloy (5-12, 3-3 ECC) at Bob Houlihan Gymnasium, maintaining their unbeaten conference record and winning their sixth straight game on Sunday. 

Daemen capitalized on the Lions' 32 turnovers, converting them into 39 points. The Wildcats also controlled the boards with a 54-35 rebounding advantage, including 29 offensive rebounds, to outscore the Lions in the paint, 40-22. After a close three quarters, Daemen outscored Molloy 19-10 in the fourth to pull away and earn the win. 

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Sophie Auer (Lewiston, N.Y.) finished with 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting and added seven rebounds. '
• Kyleigh Chapman (Canandaigua, N.Y.) logged a double-double, scoring 12 points and collecting 13 rebounds. She also recorded three steals and two assists. 
• Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.) contributed 15 points, collected nine rebounds, and recorded seven steals. 
• Shyla Montgomery (Brockton, Mass.) added 13 points and posted six steals along with three assists and two blocks.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Daemen opened the game with aggressive play, maintaining a narrow lead throughout the first quarter. Montgomery was instrumental, scoring two early layups. A key moment came when Pikett's defensive efforts, including a steal at 00:39, led to her scoring two free throws, giving the Wildcats a slight edge. The quarter concluded with Daemen leading the Lions 19-17.
• The Wildcats opened the second with a 5-0 run, initiated by Pikett's three-pointer at 9:03. Joline Raposo (Tampa, Fla.) played a crucial role, providing two key assists late in the quarter, including one to Auer for a layup with 18 seconds remaining. Defensive pressure from Daemen was evident, forcing nine turnovers and generating seven steals as the Wildcats led 34-31 at halftime. 
• Daemen regained momentum midway through the third quarter, with Montgomery contributing significantly by scoring two layups, including a fast break at 6:33. The Lions kept the contest close, but the Wildcats capitalized on turnovers again, with Pikett and Auer each recording steals that led to points. Despite the Lions' late push, Daemen finished the quarter strong, with Chapman securing a layup at 0:10, leading to a narrow 54-50 lead at the end of the third.
• In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats expanded their lead with a steady performance, highlighted by Auer's early free throws and a fast break layup assisted by Montgomery at 5:39. Pikett added a crucial three-pointer at 3:16, extending the margin further. Daemen's defensive pressure forced 11 turnovers from the Lions, contributing to their scoring opportunities. The quarter ended with Daemen outscoring the Lions 19–10, securing a 73–60 victory.

GAME NOTES

• Chapman's 13 rebounds led the team and marked a career-high as she posted the first double-double of her career.
• Pikett posted her third straight game with four-plus steals and her eighth game with multiple blocks. 
• Montgomery logged her fourth game with five or more steals.
• The Wildcats scored 39 points off 32 Molloy turnovers.
• Daemen's defense logged 23 steals and five blocks in the game. The 23 steals are the second most in a game this season. 
• The Wildcats have now won 14 straight games against Molloy and hold a 24-4 record against the Lions.

UP NEXT
Daemen is back in action next Friday, hosting crosstown rival D'Youville at 6 p.m. inside Lumsden Gymnasium. 

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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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