Utica, NY - The State University of New York Polytechnic Institute nursed a single digit lead nearly wire to wire in defeating Vermont State University Lyndon, 64-55, in Friday evening's North Atlantic Conference crossover matchup.  The Wildcats improved to 4-11 overall and evened their NAC record at 3-3, while the Hornets fell to 4-9 on the season and 0-5 in conference.

SUNY Poly's Alyssa Jackson knocked down a three-point goal on the Wildcats' first possession, igniting an 11-2 SUNY Poly run to open the game.  The Hornets responded with an 11-2 run of their own to even things at 13-13 on a three-pointer from Riley Webster (Upton, MA).  After Jackson and Lyndon's Sage Smith (Colebrook, VT) traded baskets and free throws, Kelsey Meca's jumper gave the Wildcats an 18-16 lead after one quarter.

Saleena Porter (St. Johnsbury, VT) connected on a three pointer on the first Lyndon possession of the second quarter to give the Hornets their first, and what would prove to be only, lead of the game.  The lead would be short lived, as Meca scored inside on the ensuing Wildcat possession to put SUNY Poly back in front.  The Wildcats extended their advantage to 25-19 before back to back threes from Porter and Riann Fortin (Newport, VT) tied things at 25-25.  However SUNY Poly closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 32-25 advantage into intermission.

The Wildcats were able to extend their lead to double figures for the first time, 44-34, following a Jackson three with 4:18 to go in the third quarter.  The Hornets would again fight back, cutting the margin to three following a pair of Fortin free throws.  Two Jackson free throws would then send SUNY Poly into the final quarter with a 46-41 advantage.

Lyndon was able to stay close in the early minutes of the final quarter, and when Porter connected on another three-pointer the Hornets had cut the deficit to one, 50-49, with 5:07 to go in the game.  A 6-0 Wildcat run featuring a pair of Jackson baskets would push the lead back to seven at the 3:07 mark, and the Hornets would get no closer than five points the rest of the way.

Jackson led all scorers with a game high 28 points and ten rebounds.  Alivia Turk also reached double figures for SUNY Poly, finishing with ten points.  Porter led Lyndon with 15 points and Fortin recorded a double double with 12 points and ten rebounds.

The Hornets conclude their crossover weekend on Saturday afternoon when they take on NAC East leading SUNY Cobleskill.  Tip-off in Cobleskill is scheduled for 3:00 pm.