BABSON PARK, Mass. - SUNY Geneseo senior guard Sara Ciotti scored 22 points while junior forward Kerrin Montgomery posted a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double as the Knights overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Wesleyan, 72-60, in the Judy Pearson Memorial Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon at Babson. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the first quarter, Geneseo trailed by as many as five points, but junior guard Natalie Alfieri scored seven of her 17 points in the frame to keep the Knights within two, 17-15.
• The Knights stayed with the Cardinals in the second quarter but Wesleyan hit a three on their final offensive possession and led the Knights, 34-30, at the halftime break. 
• Geneseo opened the third quarter with seven-straight points, holding Wesleyan scoreless over the first 5:41 of the second half, to gain the lead, but the Knights trailed the Cardinals, 48-46, entering the final quarter.
• In the fourth, Ciotti shot 4-for-4 from the floor and scored nine points to lead the Knights. Geneseo trailed, 57-56, with 3:19 to play, but junior guard Lindsay Halpin drilled a three-pointer to give the Knights the lead with 3:06 to play.
• Geneseo outscored Wesleyan, 13-3 over the final three minutes, hitting their free throws to lock up the victory and the Judy Pearson Memorial Tournament Championship.

QUICK FACTS

• Montgomery was named to the Judy Pearson All-Tournament Team while Ciotti was named MVP after averaging 18.5 points and 7.0 rebounds over the two games combined. 
• The Knights went 21-for-27 from the foul line while the Cardinals went just 6-for-10. 
• Four Knights finished in double-figures, led by Ciotti and Montgomery. Alfieri finished with 17 points while Halpin scored 12 points and added a team-high four assists.

WHAT'S NEXT?

No. 22 Geneseo (8-1) will return to action on Friday, Jan. 10 when they travel to face Plattsburgh at 5:30 p.m.