CORTLAND, N.Y. –
Jackie Funk (Penfield) and
Joleen Lusk (Cherry Valley/Cherry Valley-Springfield) combined to score more than half of Cortland's points as the Red Dragons defeated visiting Fredonia, 62-41, in SUNYAC women's basketball action.
Cortland (8-2, 3-0 SUNYAC) won its sixth straight game. The Red Dragons will host New Paltz Friday at 4 p.m. in a rematch of last year's SUNYAC tournament championship game, which Cortland won.
Funk made 3-of-5 3-pointers and 6-of-12 shots overall and finished with 19 points and four rebounds. Lusk scored 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting and added five rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
Brooke Tillotson (Marathon) and
Mariah Huss (Buffalo/Sacred Heart Academy) each scored six points, with Tillotson grabbing five rebounds and Huss posting four boards.
Sarah Owen (Floral Park/Floral Park Memorial) chipped in with five points.
Payton Gilbert led Fredonia (6-4, 1-2 SUNYAC) with 12 points. Kaylyn Sweeney scored eight points, Grace Alexander tallied seven points and Aliyah Hopkins led all players with 12 rebounds.
Cortland held slim leads of 16-14 after one quarter and 28-25 at halftime, and the Red Dragons were up 33-30 with 5:54 left in the third before going on a 7-0 run over the next three minutes.
Katie Boyd (Red Hook) hit a jumper, Funk nailed a 3-pointer and Lusk made a layup during that stretch to give Cortland a 40-30 lead.
The Blue Devils were within 43-36 entering the fourth quarter, but Cortland opened the final period on a 10-1 run to take control. Lusk hit a free throw and Funk made a layup to start the run.
Abby Sheehan (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) and Funk each followed with two free throws and, after a Fredonia foul shot, Sheehan hit a free throw and Funk made two foul shots to put Cortland ahead 53-37 with 5:51 left. The lead remained at least 13 after that.
Cortland shot 40 percent (21-of-53) from the field and 14-of-20 from the foul line, including 10-of-12 in the fourth quarter. Fredonia shot 46 percent in the first quarter but only 10-of-38 (26 percent) after that to finish at 31 percent. The Blue Devils were 5-of-8 from the charity stripe.
