QUINTIN JAMES
Special to The Leader
After a disappointing home stand and sitting at 6-10, The Blue Devils women’s basketball team needed to capitalize on the upcoming road games at Plattsburgh and Potsdam. The Blue Devils still have a great shot to make the playoffs; this weekend did wonders on their quest to make the playoffs.
They started off the weekend with a complete rout of Potsdam, 76-46. With the Blue Devils losing their last two games at home, this game was virtually a must win. If they wanted to comfortably make the playoffs they had to come out aggressive and set the tone early. Potsdam, who was 1-16 on the season, should have been and was an easy win for the struggling Blue Devils.
Sabrina Macaulay led the charge, as she had a double double with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Alexis Cheatham had 14 points and Jamie Curry had 10 points and six assists. The Blue Devils went on a 10-2 run to close the first half and took a 33-21 lead going into halftime.
The Blue Devils usually struggle in the second half, but this game they started the half on a 15-3 run and sealed the game, cruising to a victory. They held Potsdam to 24 percent shooting and shot 54 percent from the field, as they had no problem scoring on the Potsdam defense.
There wasn’t a celebration for this victory because they had to turn around play Plattsburgh the next day, who was above .500 and far better than the previous team. The Blue Devils didn’t get phased by the tougher competition, though, and gutted out a tough 70-64 road win and an important game in terms of standings and playoff formations. Despite only shooting 31 percent, the Blue Devils led most of the game and won a close game.
Cheatham led the team with 20 points, and Macaulay had another double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds with two blocks. Jacque Law came off the bench with 18 points, as well.
The Blue Devils held Plattsburgh to 34 percent shooting in the first half and they used the three point ball to their advantage as they made six threes in the game. They also had 17 second chance points, which means they controlled the offensive glass, something they have struggled with throughout the season.
The game was extremely close throughout, making the win by the Blue Devils unique because they don’t usually execute well in late game situations. With this win, the confidence should be high, and hopefully it translates to more wins on the road.
The Blue Devils have a three game homestand against Oswego, Cortland and Brockport. These games will be extremely important, and if the Blue Devils can win two of these three games or sweep them, they will be set up to get back to .500 and be almost a lock for the playoffs.
Following this past weekend, Fredonia is knocking on the door of the postseason, standing in the seventh spot. Playoffs are seeded through the sixth spot.