CLINTON, N.Y.—The William Smith basketball team got two looks at the basket in the final 10 seconds but could not score as Hamilton held on for a 50-48 Liberty League victory. With the loss, the Herons slip to 4-6 overall, 0-1 in the conference, while the Continentals improve to 7-2, 1-0.
A back-and-forth affair, the two squads traded the lead nine times and forged seven ties. Neither squad led by more than five points.
Mollie Danahy gave William Smith its final lead of the day, draining a three with 6:18 remaining and putting the Herons in front 42-40. Danahy posted a team-high 15 points, seven boards, three assists, and three steals.
Sixty-six seconds later, Hamilton's Reisa Asimovic (11 pts, 7 rebs, 3 asst) sank a pair of free throws for the final tie. The Continentals hit a three with 4:20 remaining to take the lead for good. Madie Harlem's layup with 96 seconds to go made it a 50-46 game.
Danahy converted a layup of her own with 56 ticks left, getting the Herons within a single basket. Harlem, who finished with a game-high 16 points, missed a jumper with 36 seconds to go and
Kristen Kush grabbed the carom, giving William Smith the chance to tie or take the lead. Kush finished with six points and eight rebounds.
The team statistics for both squads were similar with two notable exceptions. The Herons had a clear advantage on the glass, holding a 46-36 rebounding edge (a game-high 11 from
Ashlinn Barber), while the Continentals were much more efficient at the free throw line. The latter proved to be the difference maker. Hamilton connected on 11 of 12 attempts from the line, while William Smith made just four of 13.
The Herons will be back in action on Jan. 11, when they host fifth-ranked Bowdoin at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WHWS-FM (105.7). Fans can also follow the action online via
Live Stats and
live streaming video.