GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith basketball team extended its dominance of Vassar to 20 consecutive games with a 60-51 Liberty League win tonight in Bristol Gym.
Colleen Lukas and
Kristen Kush led the Herons with 14 points apiece.
William Smith (5-9, 1-3) used an up-tempo offense and end-to-end defense to wear down the Brewers (5-7, 2-2). The Herons also benefited from their depth, as their bench outscored Vassar’s 32-3. William Smith also out shot its guest 41.4 percent to 34.9 percent.
After three scoreless minutes, the Herons netted back-to-back baskets to take the early lead. The Brewers countered with six unanswered points to take their only lead of the contest. William Smith countered with nine straight points, including a three from Lukas and a pair of jumpers from Kush, to seize control of the contest.
Vassar cut its deficit to four twice in a two minute span, but the Herons answered the second challenge with an 8-2 run that ballooned their lead to 24-14 5:43 before the half. William Smith led by at least five down the stretch, carrying a 33-25 lead into the intermission.
The Herons led by at least seven and as many as 14 in the second half.
Lukas was 5-of-8 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from behind the arc, and grabbed seven rebounds, while Kush was 7-of-14 from the floor.
Ashlinn Barber notched her fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Brittany Parks paced the Brewers with a game-high 20 points, while Tori Chaltain added 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
William Smith is back in action at 2 p.m. on Jan. 23, when the Herons host Rensselaer (9-6, 4-0). Vassar is at Hamilton tomorrow at the same time.