Basketball Recap: Vestal Comes Up Short

Vestal was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their fifth straight defeat. They were four points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 42-38 heartbreaker at the hands of the Elmira Express. While losing is never fun, the Golden Bears can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' New York basketball rankings (they are ranked 317th, while the Express are ranked 63rd).

Elmira's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Mariah Matias, who almost dropped a double-double on nine points and 18 rebounds. Matias is crushing it when it comes to boards: she's pulled down at least eight every time she's taken the court this season. Alyvia Woodruff was another key player, putting up 15 points in addition to six rebounds and three steals.

Vestal's loss dropped their record down to 2-6. As for Elmira, the victory made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 11-3.

Vestal will be playing in front of their home fans against Maine-Endwell at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Elmira has already played their next match (against Ithaca), but no score has been uploaded at the time of writing.