Daemen University Women’s Basketball Secures Seventh Consecutive ECC Championship

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Daemen University Wildcats women’s basketball team (22-3, 15-1 ECC) defeated Roberts Wesleyan University (4-18, 1-13 ECC) 87-53 on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Voller Athletic Center, clinching at least a share of the East Coast Conference (ECC) regular season championship. This victory marks the seventh consecutive year Daemen has secured the title, solidifying their dominance within the conference.

Game Highlights & Key Statistics

Daemen’s decisive win was fueled by a relentless defensive performance, forcing 32 Redhawks turnovers which translated into 49 points for the Wildcats. The team extended their streak of recording at least 14 steals to seven consecutive games, demonstrating a consistent ability to disrupt opponents’ offenses. Daemen controlled the paint, outscoring Roberts Wesleyan 50-20 in points in the paint.

Impact Players

• Ne’vaeh Buntley: Led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 11-for-18 from the field.
• Kyleigh Chapman: Orchestrated the offense with a season-high eight assists, adding four rebounds.
• Shyla Montgomery: Contributed a season-best 17 points and three steals.
• Claire Pikett: Provided defensive presence with three blocked shots and seven points.
• Reece Beaver: Added 10 points and three steals, contributing to the defensive pressure.

Game Recap

First Quarter: Daemen established an early lead with quick layups from Ne’vaeh Buntley, assisted by Kyleigh Chapman. The Wildcats capitalized on Roberts Wesleyan turnovers, scoring 12 speedy-break points and building an 18-point advantage in the paint. A three-pointer from Shyla Montgomery extended the lead, ending the quarter 25-10 in favor of Daemen.

Second Quarter: Daemen continued their offensive surge with a 15-2 run, highlighted by layups from Claire Pikett and Kyleigh Chapman. Reece Beaver’s defensive contributions, including a steal and assist, fueled the momentum. The Wildcats closed the half leading 48-22.

Third Quarter: Daemen maintained control with a 21-point performance, effectively utilizing the paint. Buntley continued to score, and the Wildcats’ defense blocked three shots and recorded four steals, limiting Roberts Wesleyan’s scoring opportunities. The quarter ended with Daemen leading 69-41.

Fourth Quarter: Daemen continued to extend their lead with consistent scoring, including a three-pointer from Reece Beaver and a three-point play from Beaver. The Wildcats finished the game with a commanding 87-53 victory.

Game Notes & Season Highs

• Shyla Montgomery scored a season-high 17 points.
• Kyleigh Chapman recorded a season-high eight assists.
• Jordan White achieved a season-high five rebounds.
• Ne’vaeh Buntley’s 28 points were six shy of her career-high of 34.
• Daemen made 33 field goals, tying their season high for the sixth time.
• The Wildcats have recorded 14 or more steals in seven consecutive games.
• Daemen holds a 59-25 all-time record against Roberts Wesleyan, winning the last 12 meetings.

Up Next

Daemen will compete in the ECC semifinals on March 7, 2024. Final seeding and hosting information will be announced following the conclusion of Saturday’s ECC games. Daemen University Athletics provides updates via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.