The women's basketball team defeated Medaille College, 63-61, in an exciting first round game of the Mike Durgala Memorial Tournament hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md.

The Bearcats trailed early in the contest, but a jumper by Krystie Laurey gave the team their first lead of the afternoon, 13-12, with 13:40 left in the opening half. They would maintain that advantage and build up a 34-22 halftime lead by outscoring their opponent 12-4 in the last six minutes.

They continued to lead throughout the second half and were up by as much as 11 points (56-45) with five minutes remaining, but Medaille rallied by scoring seven straight points over the next three and half minutes to get as close as 56-53 with 1:32 left.

Sheridan Taylor was fouled and connected on her first free throw, but missed the second. However, Laurey grabbed the offensive rebound and quickly scored a layup for a 59-53 advantage with 1:11 left.

Pollak Joelle of Medaille connected on two free throws to cut the score to 59-55 with 39 seconds left, but Taylor scored a layup on the team's next possession to go back up, 61-55, with 31 seconds left.

Joelle kept things interesting with a long three-pointer to cut the score to 61-58 with 23 seconds left, but the Bearcats sealed the victory with a pair of Jessica Duleba free throws with 10 seconds remaining.

Joelle managed to quickly connect on another long three-pointer with three seconds left, but time fortunately ran out to help the Bearcats clinch the season-opening 63-61 win against an opponent from the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

Francess Henryled the Bearcats with 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. Taylor finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Duleba, the 2011-12 CUNYAC Player of the Year, had 12 points and seven rebounds. Laurey had a solid debut with 10 points off the bench.

Joelle led Medaille with a game-high 21 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

The Bearcats will play Johns Hopkins University tomorrow at 3:00 pm for the championship of the Durgala Memorial Tournament.

Saturday, November 17
Johns Hopkins 76, Mary Baldwin 32
Baruch 63, Medaille 61

Sunday, November 18
Medaille vs Mary Baldwin, 1:00 pm
Johns Hopkins vs Baruch, 3:00 pm