CANTON, N.Y. – In their first State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playoff game in a decade, the fifth-seeded Plattsburgh State women's basketball game fell in a closely contested match to the host fourth-seeded SUNY Canton Kangaroos, 61-58. The Cardinals led by two with 33 seconds to go, but a late bucket and subsequent free throws from the 'Roos led them to the first-round victory.

Jaden Wilson (Johnstown, N.Y./Johnstown) led the Cardinal scorers with 14 points, including the late bucket that gave Plattsburgh a brief lead with 33 seconds left. Julia Greek (Long Island, N.Y./Ward Melville) added 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Payton Couture (Redford, N.Y./Saranac) had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in her final collegiate game. Imani Walcott (Albany, N.Y./Albany) posted a near double-double to round out the double-digit scorers with 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Natalie Bartle led all scorers for Canton, totaling 19 points and 10 rebounds in 40 minutes of action. Sierra Pabo added 14 points for the 'Roos and Kat McRobbie-Taru had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Each team shot 37% from the field and 4-18 from three, as the disparity in score came partly because of Plattsburgh's 17 turnovers to Canton's nine. Off turnovers, the 'Roos had just nine points to the Cardinal's eight, but the giveaways helped Canton get six more shots and two more field goals. On the boards, Plattsburgh State had a 42-33 advantage over the 40-minute affair.

The Cardinals conclude their season at 14-12 and graduate just one senior in Couture, as the team will return the rest of their team in 2025-26. Canton moves to 16-10 and will move on in the SUNYAC tournament, taking on top-seeded Cortland on the road on Friday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m.

The 'Roos came out red hot in the first quarter, shooting 50% (8-16) to take an early 17-11 advantage into the second quarter, as they led by as much as eight points. The hot start continued for Canton into the second quarter, as the host team took their largest lead of 15 points with 3:43 to go in the first half.

A quick 9-0 run by the Cardinals cut the deficit to seven, as Couture converted on a layup through a Canton foul and then made the free throw to put her team down 33-27. The 'Roos converted on three free throws in the waning moments, taking a 36-27 lead into halftime.

Excellent defense in the third quarter helped the Cards close the gap, as they held Canton to just 31% shooting, outscoring them 15-11. Wilson scored the first four points of the period, as the team was able to get as close as three before the Kangaroos extended their lead to put them up 47-42 after the third period.

In the fourth, Plattsburgh State only led once, but the team continually kept the game close, allowing for the dramatic finish. Free throws from Couture and Walcott to start the quarter pulled the team within one point but a five-point run from Bartle put Canton back out in front by six with 4:39 to go. A layup and free throw from Selma Deisz (Bekkestua, Norway/Nadderud VGS) on the ensuing possession cut the lead back to three and a Greek three with 2:49 tied the game back up with 2:49 to go.

The teams traded layups right around the two-minute mark and both teams were able to get stops before Plattsburgh called a 30-second timeout with 57 seconds left. Out of the timeout, Wilson converted on a driving layup, putting her team up with 33 seconds to go.

Unfortunately for the Cards, Bartle was fouled and made the layup on the following possession, as she then made a free throw to put her team back up by one point with 13 seconds left. The Cardinals missed a shot on the other end with seven seconds to go, as Bartle went on to make two free throws and force the game-ending turnover on the other end to give Canton the 61-58 win.