PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Following its first win of the season, the Plattsburgh State women's basketball team picked where they off by defeating the Johnson State Badgers 85-60 in game one of the 2015 Hampton Inn/Microtel Cardinal Classic Tournament.
It was a balanced effort from Plattsburgh State. Four players finished in double figures.
Devona Paul led all scorers with 25 points in the winning effort. She added eight rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes played.
Allie Taylor notched 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals while
Misha Green tallied 14 points on 5-6 shooting from the floor.
First year athlete
Simone Ayers reached double digits for the first time in her career, adding 12 points and six boards in 16 minutes.
The Cardinals led the Badgers at halftime 37-31. For the second straight game it was the third quarter where Plattsburgh State found energy and was able to run the floor and put the game away. The Cardinals outscored Johnson State 32-9 in the third stanza and then hit the cruise button on the way to finding a spot in the championship game of the Cardinal Classic.
Plattsburgh State will face the Bowdoin College Polar Bears in the championship game. Bowdoin was the 68-61 winner over Clarkson University in the second game of the tournament.
Shannon Brady paced Bowdoin with 21 points and seven rebounds.
It's worth noting that the Cardinals will be facing off against Marle Curle, daughter of Plattsburgh State men's basketball coach
Tom Curle, in the championship matchup at Memorial Hall. Marle finished with 10 points, five boards and five assists for Bowdoin.
The consolation game between Clarkson and Johnson State will start at 1 p.m., while the championship game is slated to start at 3 p.m. on Saturday.