WASHINGTON, D.C. — #13 Daemen (18-2, 11-0 ECC) took down the University of the District of Columbia (7-13, 3-7 ECC) 79-51 on Friday, maintaining its undefeated conference record. 

Daemen forced a staggering 26 turnovers, resulting in 17 points, and drained nine three-pointers while holding the Firebirds to 37.9% shooting.

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Ne'vaeh Buntley (Rochester, N.Y.) scored 22 points and recorded two steals, leading the offensive charge with nine field goals, including 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. 
•  Claire Pikett (Holland, N.Y.) posted 16 points, adding five steals and two blocks to the team's defensive efforts.
• Kyleigh Chapman (Canandaigua, N.Y.) added defensive intensity, tallying six steals and two blocks while collecting nine rebounds.
• Reece Beaver (Busti, N.Y.) contributed 13 points, efficiently converting five-of-six field goals and three 3-pointers.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The game began with the Firebirds taking an early lead with a layup by Le'Asia Todd at 9:33. However, Daemen responded strongly, highlighted by Buntley's layup at 8:08 to tie the score at 2-2. The Wildcats surged ahead with a 7-0 run, including Pikett's layup at 7:32, giving them a four-point advantage. Daemen extended their lead to seven with 48 seconds left, as Buntley knocked down a fast-break 3-pointer assisted by Sophie Auer (Lewiston, N.Y.). The Wildcats closed the first quarter leading 15-9.
• Daemen took control in the second quarter with a decisive 21–5 run. Buntley was instrumental, hitting a 3-pointer at 9:24 and later converting another, pushing the lead to 36–14. The Wildcats' defense held the Firebirds to two field goals, while the visiting team capitalized with eight field goals, including three from beyond the arc. The half ended with Daemen securing a commanding 36–14 lead.
• The Wildcats maintained their large lead in the third quarter, reaching a 27-point advantage with 8:40 remaining. Pikett hit a 3-pointer and converted a layup, while Buntley added a fast-break layup, as Daemen led 56–36 at the end of the third. 
• At the start of the fourth, the Wildcats got layups from Auer and Beaver, assisted by Morgan White (New Carlisle, Ind.) and Julia Fontanillo (Valladolid, Spain), respectively, taking the score to 60-36. White added a three-pointer at 8:20, further solidifying Daemen's advantage. The Wildcats' defense forced multiple turnovers, allowing them to capitalize on fast-break points. Joline Raposo's (Tampa, Fla.) three-pointer at 3:24, assisted by White, reinforced the commanding lead.

GAME NOTES

• Beaver's 13 points were a career-best
• Chapman's six steals marked a career high. 
• Pikett logged her sixth straight game with four or more steals.
• Auer recorded a team-leading and season-high five assists while Fontanillo posted her seventh game with four or more helpers. 
• Daemen held UDC to 14 points in the first half, its second-fewest points allowed in a half this season.
• The Wildcats logged 19 steals in the game, totaling at least 12 for the eighth consecutive contest. 
• Daemen forced 26 Firebird turnovers, scoring 17 points off of them.
• The Wildcats outscored the Firebirds 40-32 in points in the paint. 
• Daemen logged a season-high 24 assists in the game. 
• The Wildcats remain undefeated on the road at 8-0 this season. 
• Daemen is now 16-9 all-time against the University of the District of Columbia and has won six straight meetings. 

UP NEXT
Daemen wraps up its weekend road trip with a 1 p.m. contest at Staten Island 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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