AMHERST, N.Y. — Daemen (16-2, 9-0 ECC) defeated crosstown rival D'Youville (7-10, 4-5 ECC), 63-45, at Lumsden Gymnasium on Friday, forcing 26 turnovers and scoring 20 points off those opportunities.

The Wildcats maintained control throughout the game, never relinquishing the lead, and secured the win with a strong defensive effort.

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.) led the team with 26 points, converting six of nine from beyond the arc and adding five steals and two blocks.
• Ne'vaeh Buntley (Rochester, N.Y.) contributed 15 points and collected seven rebounds.
• Shyla Montgomery (Brockton, Mass.) posted a team-leading four assists and recorded two steals while scoring four points.
• Sophie Auer (Lewiston, N.Y.) finished with 11 points while shooting 5-for-7 from the field. She also logged five assists and three rebounds.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Wildcats opened the first quarter with strong defensive pressure, converting turnovers into quick points. Buntley spearheaded the effort with a series of pivotal plays, including a fastbreak layup that extended the lead. Despite a late three-pointer from the Saints' Samantha Ruhlman, Daemen maintained a 16–14 advantage at the end of the quarter.
• The Wildcats surged early in the second quarter, opening with a 3-pointer by Pikett at 9:54, assisted by Auer, to extend the lead. The momentum continued as Montgomery's layup at 7:57, followed by another Pikett 3-pointer at 7:28, capitalized on fast breaks, pushing the score to 27-17. Despite a late push by the Saints, the Wildcats maintained control with Pikett's defensive efforts, including a block in the final minute. The quarter concluded with Daemen leading 34-29 after outscoring the visitors 18-15 in the frame.
• In the third, the Wildcats took control with a crucial offensive stretch, highlighted by Pikett's 3-pointer at 4:03. The basket extended Daemen's lead and was part of a larger run that included a layup and another three-pointer from Pikett, supported by assists from Kyleigh Chapman (Canandaigua, N.Y.) and Julia Fontanillo (Valladolid, Spain). The Wildcats' defense continued to force key turnovers and limit scoring opportunities. Daemen led 49-41 at the end of the third.
• The Wildcats dominated the fourth quarter with a strong defensive effort, forcing nine turnovers by D'Youville. Montgomery hit a key jumper at 6:08, extending the home side's lead to 14 points, and Pikett contributed with a layup at 4:30. The home team maintained control with Buntley's free throw and Fontanillo's 3-pointer at 1:20. Daemen limited the Saints to just one basket in the quarter, securing a 63-45 victory.

GAME NOTES

• Pikett's 26 points marked a career best. She also posted her fourth straight game with four or more steals and her ninth game with multiple blocks.
• Montgomery logged her seventh game with four or more assists.
• The Wildcats scored 20 points off 26 D'Youville turnovers.
• Daemen logged 12 steals in the game and totaled at least 12 steals for the sixth consecutive contest.
• The Wildcats registered at least 12 assists for the seventh consecutive game.
• Daemen outscored D'Youville 26-16 in points in the paint.
• This was the fifth time this season that Daemen held an opponent to under 50 points.
• The Wildcats are now 7-1 at home and have won seven straight contests in Lumsden Gymnasium.
• Daemen is now 23-2 all-time against the Saints.

UP NEXT
Daemen is back in action next Saturday, hosting Western New York foe Roberts Wesleyan at 12 p.m.

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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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