The Hamilton College women's basketball team (0-1) opened its season with a 70-65 loss to SUNY Oneonta (1-0) in the opening round of the Skidmore Invitational in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Hamilton closes out the tournament Saturday, facing Western New England at 2 p.m.

The Continentals rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to take a one-point lead into intermission before the Red Dragons opened the second period with an 11-3 run. The Continentals fought back to take a one-point lead with 6:40 left in regulation but Oneonta scored the game's next seven points.

Samantha Graber '16 led Hamilton with career-high totals of 23 points and eight assists. She had a hand in 15 of the Continentals' 21 baskets, making seven of her 12 shots from the field – including a four-of-five showing from three-point range. Graber, who led all scorers in the game, pulled down six rebounds and collected three steals.

Serena Ward '16 posted a career-best scoring effort as well, finishing with 14 points along with six rebounds. She made three of her four three-point attempts, helping Hamilton shoot 52 percent (10 of 17) from behind the arc.

Florence Turiaf '17, the lone first year in Hamilton's starting line-up, was the game's leading rebounder, pulling down seven. She contributed three assists and a pair of steals. Dana Feigin '14 scored 10 points and added five assists (one short of her personal best).

The Red Dragons were led by Sarah Longto, who scored 17 points. Grace Schilling and Alyshia Crawford (who had eight assists), finished with 16 and 14 points, respectively.

After Oneonta jumped out to a 31-20 advantage with 6:47 left in the opening half, the Continentals went on an 18-7 run, sparked by Ward's nine points and Graber's seven. Turiaf capped the stretch with a fast-break lay-up that put Hamilton up 38-37 six seconds before the break.

The Continentals used a 14-6 second-half run to take their final lead. Oneonta's 10-2 spurt put the Red Dragons ahead 50-43 5:58 into the period. Three-point baskets by Caroline Barrett '17 and Feigin helped pull the Continentals to within two points and a three-pointer by Carly Gruenberg '16 put them ahead 57-56 with 6:40 left in regulation.

Oneonta's 7-0 run was followed by a another Feigin three-point basket that cut the Red Dragon lead to three points but Hamilton didn't get closer. The Continentals held Oneonta to one basket over the game's final 3:39 and climbed to within 68-65 on Graber's free throw with 26 seconds left but the Red Dragons converted a pair of free throws of their own to seal the win.