The University of Rochester Yellowjackets faced the Hamilton College Continentals on the road in their final game of the 2024 calendar year. In an overtime thriller, Hamilton defeated Rochester 67-65 to drop Rochester's record to 5-4, while Hamilton moved to 6-1 on the year.
 
Bridget Miller filled up the stat sheet with 13 points, 9 rebounds (6 offensive), 2 blocks, and 2 assists, giving Rochester a solid presence in the paint.
 
A tough Hamilton defense forced Rochester into three straight misses to kick off the game until Miller hit a jumper to get the ball rolling three minutes into the match. Both teams went back and forth through the latter stages of the first quarter until a Miller three and a Tia Poulakidas jumper closed out the quarter with Hamilton leading 13-12.
 
UR's first points of the second came from an Abby Gress three, closing off a 7-0 run Hamilton went on to start the quarter. Later in the period, Hamilton closed with eight straight points to head into the locker room up 12, at 33-21.
 
Hamilton knocked down three straight shots, including two 3-pointers to give the Continentals their largest lead of the game, up 18 with nearly seven minutes left in the third quarter.
 
Rochester was able to cut the gap in half the rest of the period, trailing by just nine following two layups from Miller in the final minute.
 
The fourth quarter was all Rochester, shooting 53% from the field while outrebounding Hamilton 12-8. Erin Lillis was able to get to the basket and score two layups to close the Hamilton lead to five.
 
Rochester showed a more aggressive style of defense in the second half, forcing ten second-half turnovers to help drive this comeback.
 
Late game three's from Franki Gomez and Lillis brought the 'Jackets within two until Miller received an entry pass to the post, where the forward was able to muscle it in for two with just under two minutes left.
 
As the clock ticked under 30 seconds, Lillis had the ball at the top of the key and blew right past the defender to give Rochester their first lead since the opening quarter. A last-second jumper from Kendall Harris hung on the rim and bounced in, tying the game up for Hamilton and sending the contest to overtime.
 
Hamilton scored the first four points of overtime at the free-throw line, giving the Continentals a lead.
 
Gress' playmaking ability freed Gomez up to knock down her second three of the game, bringing Rochester within one with two minutes left in the extra session.
 
A couple misses at both ends gave the Yellowjackets another chance to take the lead, with Rylee Drahos sinking a pair of free throws to put Rochester back on top 65-64 with 32 seconds remaining.
 
On its next possession, Hamilton was able to get to the rim with a layup to take back the lead. A late Rochester turnover squandered the late-game comeback for the 'Jackets.
 
Gress finished as Rochester's leading scorer with 18 points. She added 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Miller's 13 points ranked second on the squad, while Lillis ended with 11 points and four assists.
 
Harris led all players with 25 points for Hamilton, finishing with 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals as well. Taylor Lambo also recorded a double-double for the Continentals, recording 17 points and 15 rebounds.
 
The Yellowjackets will continue their season in the new year with a home non-conference matchup with SUNY Cortland on January 4 at 2:00 pm.