GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith basketball team honored senior
Julie Hooper prior to the start of today’s Liberty League game against St. Lawrence, but the visiting Saints spoiled the celebration with a 62-54 victory. St. Lawrence shot 49.1 percent from the floor for the game, including 52 percent in the first half, while limiting the Herons to 34 percent shooting.
Heron
Kristen Kush led all scorers with 18 points.
Ashlinn Barber added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while
Chelsea Tracy chipped in a season-high 11 points.
Mollie Danahy dished out a game-high seven assists.
St. Lawrence (16-6, 8-4) was led by Casey Capello’s 16 points, which included 7-of-12 shooting from the floor. Katherine Edgerton, Iris Santoni, and Nyasha Miller contributed 12, 11, and 11 points, respectively.
Despite the visitor’s hot-shooting in the first half, William Smith (7-15, 3-9) was able to stay with the Saints by taking advantage of turnovers. The Herons doubled up SLU 12-6 in points off turnovers. Neither team led by more than eight in the opening 20 minutes, as St. Lawrence carried a 29-23 lead into the break.
William Smith opened the second half with six straight points to tie the game, but the Saints, who won for the fifth straight time, took control of the game with a 15-4 run. Capello netted 11 straight points during the surge that spanned seven minutes.
The Herons were able to whittle their deficit down to six several times down the stretch, but got no closer. Barber sank a pair of free throws with 22 seconds remaining to make it a 60-54 game, but Capello capped the game’s scoring with a layup at the other end of the floor.
William Smith will play its final two games of the regular season next weekend. The Herons kick off the road trip at 6 p.m. on Feb. 19, when they visit Rensselaer. The Saints return home to face the Thoroughbreds at 6 p.m. on Feb. 19.