The Le Moyne Women’s basketball team took the court on Tuesday, Nov. 20 facing off against upstate rivals St. Rose. After losing eight consecutive times to the Golden Knights, the ‘Phins were determined to take home the victory. A three-pointer with one minute left in the game by sophomore forward Emily Greer sealed the deal for Le Moyne. They won the game 71-67.

The 71-67 win over St. Rose at Ted Grant Court on Tuesday night gave Le Moyne their first Northeast-10 Conference win of the year and half of a point in the year-long “Upstate Challenge.” The “Upstate Challenge” is a competition between St. Rose and Le Moyne to see who can earn the most points in athletic play.

Sophomore guard Alex Marple offensively charged the Dolphins with 17 points, her new career high. Marple also tallied two rebounds and three assists. Following in points were senior guard Torie Lee and Greer with a dozen each and junior guard Maddy McKnight with eleven points. Lee and Greer were both beasts on the boards. Greer pulled down seven rebounds and Lee snagged five. McKnight had five assists.

The first half consisted of many transitional runs. Each team had and lost the lead. St. Rose was up 39-27 at half. Le Moyne knew they needed to come out strong in the second half. Within the first four minutes the Dolphins were able to get the game within six points. Le Moyne executed great teamwork.

With 10 minutes remaining, Le Moyne got within four points after Marple scored from outside the arc and sophomore guard Maddie Hahesy dropped a free throw. Down 50-46, Marple then scored seven straight points.

Le Moyne was up by three with only eight minutes remaining in the game. The Golden Knights weren’t going down without a fight. In the next minute of play they regained the lead by scoring seven straight points of their own. This game came down to who wanted the victory more in the end. Le Moyne answered and with only one and a half minutes remaining the Dolphins scored seven straight points to send the Golden Knights back home. McKnight put the ball through the hoop one last time on a free throw with two seconds remaining.

The Lady Golden Knights and the Lady Dolphins will face off again on Feb. 6 in Albany to determine who will receive the other half point

Le Moyne, now 2-1 for the season and 1-1 in the NE-10, will take the court this Saturday, Dec. 1 against New Haven at 1 p.m.