ONEONTA – Greene was fighting an uphill battle almost from the opening tip.

Harpursville drained nearly everything directed at the rim to build a 16-point lead in the game’s opening stanza, and the Hornets turned back every Greene rally winning 47-43 in the Midstate Athletic Conference championship game Saturday at SUNY Oneonta Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon.

Hannah Kimmel scored a game-high 27 points for the Hornets, who also won last year’s MAC title game over the Trojans. Alycia Kimmel added 11 in the victory that included a a key three-point play in the final minutes as she moved over 1,000 points for her career.

It was a repeat title for Harpursville, who rallied to beat Greene by three a year ago. This time, the Hornets played from the front the entire way. “You can’t take anything for granted, and after last year, I told the girls to enjoy it,” said Harpursville coach Kurt Ehrensbeck. “I knew it would be tough to get back here, and I’m thrilled with the way they played. We’re starting to put a lot of good things together.”

Greene cut the early deficit down to two points in the first half getting two three-pointers from Andrea Day in the first half, and Liz Wentlent spearheaded the offense as the margin was a more a manageable 27-20 at the break.