JOHNSTOWN – The SUNY Broome Lady Hornets proved to be a solid and capable opponent on Sunday afternoon. The team from New York's Southern Tier brought a 2-0 record and ran to a 15-9 lead over the Lady Raiders in the early going. The Lady Raiders then got their own good offense going, and the two squads had a close contest that saw FM win in the end.

FM once again played tight defense and had a balanced scoring attack. Seniors Jessica Woney and Stephanie Rice were the top scorers, but four FM players posted double figures, and two more were close behind.

Photo:  Jessica Woney scoring two of her 19 points – the other Raiders are Abby Boyer (left) and Angel Gittens

Evanda Redwood and Woney started to close Broome's early six-point lead by sinking two free throws each. A jumper by Woney briefly tied the game. Rice's drive through the lane gave FM the lead at 20-19.

The two teams played an even game, trading baskets until Abby Boyer drove the lane, giving FM a 30-28 lead. FM took a slim 37-35 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Photo:  Stephanie Rice scores two – Candice Frost is in the foreground

Redwood's field goal opened the second-half scoring, but a three-point play and two free throws put Broome back in front 40-39.

Woney scored again. Freshman Silvia Vasquez Rivera was having her best game yet. She sank a shot from behind the left side of the arc, and FM led 44-40.

FM seemed to be taking control of the game. Vasquez Rivera stole the ball and sprinted in alone for two points and a 61-52 lead with 10:22 to play. But the Hornets did not quit.

The visitors worked their way back and trailed 71-67 with 3:32 left. Then they closed to 74-71 with just over a minute to play.

Lady Raider Radasha Pope was playing with a lot of energy. She went to the line for a one-and-one with 20.9 seconds on the clock. Pope netted both shots. 76-71. The final point was scored on a Woney free throw. FM won the contest 77-71.

Head Coach Kevin Jones' team is now 2-2. Broome is 2-1. 

The Lady Raiders' next game will be Wednesday evening, Nov. 12, at Cayuga CC with a 5:30 p.m. start.  (Note: That contest had originally been scheduled for next Saturday.) 

                 C.J. Bonny, website writer

Score by halves:

Broome   35-36   71

FMCC      37-40   77 

Broome:  Dellos 11, Blackman 4, Prouty 10, Miller 2, Fenelus 4, Santiago 13, Kuhnen 27; Total  71      Three-point goals:  Dellos 1, Santiago 1 

FMCC:  Vasquez Rivera 12, Woney 19, Rice 16, Redwood 9, Gittens 2, Boyer 12, Pope 7; Total 77    Three-point goals:  Vasquez Rivera 1, Woney 2, Rice 2, Shepard 1

.