BUFFALO, N.Y. — D'Youville (6-7, 3-2 ECC) was defeated by the College of Staten Island (6-9, 2-2 ECC), 49-38, in a tense league game at Saints Center Gym on Friday. 

The game commenced with a tight battle as D'Youville and Staten Island exchanged leads three times in the opening minutes. D'Youville gained momentum midway through the quarter with a layup by Megan Fedor (Elmira, N.Y. / Elmira) at the 6:43 mark, leveling the score at 2. Aliviya Vallone Russell (Buffalo, N.Y. / Cardinal O'Hara) contributed a crucial steal and an assist, setting up a 3-pointer by Xanthippi Karatasiou (Katerini, Greece / Kotariotissa) at 2:32, which pushed D'Youville ahead. The home team maintained their edge by converting crucial free throws from Fedor in the final minutes. D'Youville ended the first quarter with an 11-6 lead over the Dolphins.

D'Youville initiated the second quarter with a layup from Ava Pearson (Colonie, N.Y. / Colonie), momentarily extending their lead. However, CSI responded with a series of plays, to level the score. Alyssa Neumann (Silverdale, Wash. / Central Kistap) hit a layup to regain a brief lead for D'Youville, but the momentum shifted as CSI executed a 14-0 run to pull ahead. Despite a late jumper from Molly O'Toole (Rochester, N.Y. / Aquinas Institute), D'Youville struggled to contain the Dolphins' offensive surge. The quarter concluded with CSI leading 28-21.

D'Youville managed to shift the momentum with a crucial three-pointer by Russell at 7:29, reducing the deficit. Neumann's defensive block at 9:01 and her layup shortly after added to the home team's efforts in the paint. Despite these efforts, the Dolphins maintained a narrow lead by the end of the quarter, 37-27. The game concluded with CSI securing the win, 49-38.

D'Youville made a strong push in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap with effective scoring from Russell, who hit key jumpers at 9:23 and 7:09. Samantha Ruhlman contributed a crucial three-pointer at 8:04, assisted by Karatasiou, which fueled their momentum. Despite these efforts, CSI maintained their lead by converting eight free throws and capitalizing on turnovers. The game concluded with the Dolphins edging out D'Youville, 49-38.

Russell led the team with 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and added three assists and two steals. Neumann contributed defensively with three blocks and two steals while also securing seven rebounds. Ruhlman (Warren, Pa. / Warren Area) collected seven rebounds and added a 3-pointer. O'Toole tallied six points and led the team with eight rebounds.

In their next game, D'Youville will host the University of the District of Columbia on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m.