JORDAN PURVIS
Special to The Leader
The women’s basketball team fell 74-60 to Buffalo State on Saturday. The Bengals’ victory secured their first postseason berth since 2015.
Leading up to the game on Saturday, both teams were in a tie for the sixth and final SUNYAC playoff spot. Coach MacDonald had discussed increasing the intensity, as well as how crucial the game against Buffalo State was.
“MacDonald has been telling us all week that this is an important game for everyone. She tried to focus our energies on the main points that would win us the game. We focused on defense, rebounding and our game plan in order to win. One thing she emphasized was consistency,” said Alisha Szumigala, a forward. “We have really struggled with being consistent quarter to quarter throughout the entire game. She wanted us to not regret anything and to go out and give it our best.”
Seniors Szumigala, Emily Lasher and Jacque Law played the last game of their collegiate career.
Szumigala had 7 points, 1 assist and 8 rebounds. She currently leads the SUNYAC in field-goal percentage this season.
“The game today was very important to me,” said Szumigala. “Knowing it was my last game of basketball at Fredonia was scary and upsetting. I wanted to focus on the things I could do better to help my team and play the best I could. Even though it was my last game, I am very glad that I had such an amazing team and coach to spend my last collegiate basketball game with.”
In addition, Law scored 14 points, 1 assist and 5 rebounds. She finished her career ranked ninth on the all-time scoring list at 1,080 points.
Jenna Einink, a junior elementary education major, didn’t hold back from playing a strong game as she led Fredonia with 20 points and 14 rebounds, and sophomore mathematics major Anna Chiacchia had 13 points.
“Buffalo State played extremely aggressive throughout,” said Einink. “Reflecting on the game, there definitely could have been more done to win. We didn’t get out to three-point shooters fast enough, and we didn’t play our best defense.”
She later added, “I’m looking forward to a fresh start next season. We struggled a little this year, but I think we all know what we need to improve for next year. I can only hope we will perform at an even better rate next year. We all need to get into better shape and put work in [in] the offseason.”
The Blue Devils finished their season at 7-11 in the conference and 9-16 overall.