Bobcats Celebrate Second-Straight Upset of #1 Ranked School
On back-to-back weekends, the sixth-ranked Bryant & Stratton College – Rochester women’s basketball team knocked off teams ranked number one in their respective USCAA polls.
A week after toppling Bryant & Stratton – Buffalo, the number one ranked USCAA DI school – the Bobcats took down USCAA DII number one Villa Maria, 84-65. Splitting the season series with the Vikings after being beaten on the road in December.
Despite the 20-point margin of victory, Sunday’s win wasn’t exactly a cakewalk for the Bobcats. Bryant & Stratton struggled to put anything together offensively, turning the ball over five out of their first seven possessions. Meanwhile, Villa was on fire from the three-point line, opening an 11-2 lead just minutes in.
Head coach Sean Knorr said he chose not to take a timeout despite the game slipping away. He was rewarded for his decision, as Bryant & Stratton managed to regain their composure and took over the remainder of the half.
"I was not happy with our defense at the beginning of the game.” Knorr said. “But they proved me right on not using an early time out. They took the game over from there, going on a 42-15 run with stifling defense and great ball movement and heart."
The Bobcats held a 42-28 lead at the half and extended their advantage to 66-44 at the end of the third quarter.
Kadijah Jones led the way for the Bobcats, scoring 26 on the day and aiding the Bobcats in earning their ninth-straight win. Dorian Sharp picked up 19 and Shanell Glover and Myjoi Adams were key complimentary pieces, chipping in nine points each.
The Bobcats now look ahead to another showdown with Bryant & Stratton – Buffalo on Wednesday night on the road. On the heels of last week’s win and BSC-Rochester’s rise in the USCAA polls, it will be a key showdown for postseason positioning.