No. 4 Bobcats Advance to USCAA Semifinals with 79–71 Win Over No. 5 Denmark Tech

BUFFALO, NY – The No. 4 seeded Bryant & Stratton College Buffalo women's basketball team continued its remarkable postseason tradition Tuesday night, defeating No. 5 seed Denmark Technical College 79–71 in the quarterfinals of the USCAA National Tournament. With the victory, the Bobcats advanced to the national semifinal round for the sixth consecutive season, maintaining the program's streak of reaching the semifinals in every year since its inception while keeping their national championship hopes alive on their home floor in Buffalo.

Bryant & Stratton used a dominant third quarter surge to take control after a tightly contested first half.

The Bobcats jumped out to a strong start, holding Denmark Tech to just 11 points in the opening quarter while building an 18–11 lead after the first 10 minutes. Chelsea Johnson sparked the early offense by attacking the rim and converting several key baskets to give Buffalo momentum.

Denmark Tech answered in the second quarter, outscoring the Bobcats 20–16 to trim the deficit to 34–31 at halftime, fueled by strong efforts from Saleese Kind and Calaha Tucker.

Bryant & Stratton delivered its biggest push coming out of the break. The Bobcats exploded for 28 points in the third quarter, creating separation with a balanced offensive attack and strong interior play. Iyanna King and Kortnee Smith helped lead the charge as Buffalo stretched the advantage to 62–45 entering the fourth quarter.

Denmark Tech made one final push in the closing period, scoring 26 fourth-quarter points, but Bryant & Stratton answered with timely baskets and free throws to close out the 79–71 victory.

Johnson led all scorers with 27 points, shooting 10-of-19 from the field while adding six rebounds.

King finished with 20 points, hitting two three-pointers and adding five rebounds and four assists.

Smith recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds while protecting the rim with four blocks.

Jordyn Cooper-Best chipped in eight points and seven rebounds, while Zyaire Hartfield contributed eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block while playing all 40 minutes.

As a team, the Bobcats shot 44.3 percent from the floor, outrebounded Denmark Tech 52–47, and recorded 18 assists.

Denmark Tech was led by Saleese Kind, who posted 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Calaha Tucker added 18 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Bryant & Stratton will now face No. 1 seed Bloomfield College in the national semifinals. Bloomfield, a fellow NACIA Conference member, swept the regular season series against the Bobcats.

The USCAA National Tournament semifinal matchup between Bryant & Stratton and Bloomfield is scheduled for Thursday, March 5 at 7:45 p.m. EST inside the Burt Flickinger Center.