Bonczkowski Drops 16 as Tigers’ Late Rally Comes Up Short at Sage, 71-68

 COBLESKILL – The SUNY Cobleskill women’s basketball team put together a big fourth-quarter run Monday night inside the Kahl Campus Center, but their late push came up just short in a 71–68 finish against Russell Sage.

Hannah Bonczkowski (Gilbertsville, NY) kept the Tigers within striking distance all night, leading the way with 16 points, four rebounds, two steals, and four made threes, including two clutch triples in the final minute. First-years Sydney Delisle (Mechanicville, NY) and Kate Hadwen (Fair Haven, VT) continued to shine, each finishing with 14 points. Delisle added seven rebounds and an assist, while Hadwen contributed four boards and two assists. 

Kayleigh Bryant (Schenevus, NY) anchored the interior with seven rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and four points, and Zaylee Ramos (Worcester, MA) chipped in six points and four rebounds.

Cobleskill shot 35.2 percent from the field (25-71) and a strong 37.9 percent from three (11-29). Sage countered with 36.9 percent overall (24-65) and 29.4 percent from deep (5-17), but the difference came at the free-throw line, where the Gators went 18-for-23 compared to Cobleskill’s 7-for-9. The Tigers’ bench was a major boost once again, outscoring Sage 40–11, while the Gators edged the rebounding battle 49–46. Cobleskill’s defense forced 14 turnovers that they turned into 19 points. 

The Tigers weathered an early Sage run, with Bonczkowski drilling a deep three to keep things within reach before the Gators took an 18–10 lead after the first. Ramos opened the second quarter with a strong drive to the rim, and Cobleskill caught fire midway through the period. Delisle and Hadwen buried back-to-back threes, sparking a 6–0 burst that pulled the Tigers within 29–24. Another quick run trimmed the gap to 31–28 before Sage took a narrow 36–31 lead into halftime. 

Delisle opened the third quarter with a three to make it 38–31, but Sage responded with a big push, stretching their lead to 51–35. Cobleskill refused to fold, closing the quarter on an 8–0 run behind a deep Bonczkowski three and a Hadwen and-one, cutting the deficit to 51–43 entering the fourth. 

The Tigers came out firing in the final frame. Hadwen, Delisle, and Emilie Eritano connected on three straight threes, trimming the gap to 53–52 just two minutes in. Cobleskill finally pulled even at the 5:46 mark on another Hadwen and-one. Sage responded with a late 6–0 stretch, but Bonczkowski answered with back-to-back clutch threes to make it a 68–66 game with 21 seconds left. 

Cobleskill had one last look with seven seconds remaining, but the potential game-tying shot at the buzzer bounced off the rim as Sage escaped with the 71–68 finish. 

Up Next

The Fighting Tigers return home on Friday, December 5, for a 7:30 p.m. North Atlantic Conference matchup against VTSU–Lyndon in the Iorio Gymnasium.