POTSDAM, N.Y.—William Smith College trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half, but rallied for an 87-77 win over Potsdam State in a non-conference women’s basketball game tonight.
Kristen Kush led four Herons in double figures with 18 points.
William Smith improved to 4-5 on the season thanks to season-highs in points, field goal percentage (.481), free throws made (29) and free throws attempted (45). The Herons were on the plus side in both rebounding margin (+2, 39-37) and turnover margin (+1, 19-18).
Ashlinn Barber added her third double-double of the season to the winning effort, recording 13 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Junior guard
Mollie Danahy was a key figure in William Smith’s second half comeback, netting 13 of her 16 points after the break. She also contributed six rebounds, six assists, and four steals.
Julie Hooper chipped in 13 points, including three three-pointers.
Courtney Poirier posted team-highs of 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals for the Bears, who lost for the seventh straight time and drop to 1-8 overall.
Rachel Graf’s (18 pts, 7 rebs) layup less than two minutes into the second half gave the home team a 52-39 lead, but the Herons outscored their hosts 17-3 over the next seven minutes to take a 56-55 lead.
The teams traded the lead back and forth over the next five minutes. Brittany Whitton (12 pts) gave the Bears their final lead of the night, 64-63 with 5:48 remaining, when she converted the front end of a two-shot foul. William Smith seized control of the contest with a 10-2 run, capped by a Hooper three, to take a 73-66 lead with 3:53 left.
Potsdam countered with the game’s next five points to close to within two, but the Herons netted the next five to restore their seven-point edge and never let their lead dip below five down the stretch.
William Smith will begin Liberty League play on Jan. 9, when the Herons visit Hamilton. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.