Box Score ALBANY, NY -- Four Skidmore players scored in double-figures as the women's basketball cruised past Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,75-42, Tuesday night at Albert M. White Gymnasium .
The Thoroughbreds (3-4) snapped the Panthers (8-1) 11-game winning streak, handing them their first loss of the season.
Molly McLaughlin recorded her first double-double of the season, putting up 15 points to lead all scorers and adding 12 assists. The 12 assists ties the Skidmore record set by Lisa Mason in 2004. Jordyn Wartts had 11 points, seven assists and six rebounds, Ella Scheuerell scored 11 points to go with seven boards and Amber Holgate scored in double-digits off the bench for the second-straight game, chipping in 13 points.
"Four of our five starters had two fouls each going into halftime, but our reserves stepped up big time and with some important shots and Molly McLaughlin was able to play for the entire half steadying our offense and defense," said  Skidmore head coach Darren Bennett.  "Molly is playing really well going into break averaging 11 points and 10.5 assists over her last two games with only five turnovers.  She is controlling the offense and really sparking our defensive efforts."Â
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Skidmore jumped out to 10-point lead five minutes into the contest as
Lindsey Davis, Wartts and Holgate all knocked down three-pointer to put the Thoroughbreds ahead 15-5.
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ACPHS cut the deficit to five at 23-18 with a 7-0 run midway through the first half capped by a pair of Kristen McKeel free throws. The Thoroughbreds responded the next trip down the floor as McLaughlin hit a three-pointer to put Skidmore up by eight.
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The Thoroughbreds carried a comfortable 40-24 lead into halftime, closing the first with a 14-6 run with points from five different scorers. Holgate started the charge with six-straight points, getting a layup to fall while being fouled and converting on a three-pointer. McLaughlin, Wartts, Scheurell and
Migle Vilunaite all hit shots over the final three minutes to close out the half.
"Pharmacy is a tough team with veteran players," Bennett added. "We were just able to hit more shots than they did early on to build a little bit of a cushion to offset our fouling issues. Â Their press really never got to us, which versus other opponents has really created great scoring opportunities for them. Â They were strong on the offensive boards like we knew they would be and that is something we continue to work on as a team, our defensive board efforts." Â
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The second half proved to be more of the same as McLaughlin and Scheuerell alternated threes over a four-minute span to put Skidmore ahead 62-34 with under nine minutes to play. The Thoroughbreds defense allowed only 16 points the entire second half, leading to a 75-42 win.
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Skidmore shot 41.2% from the field and 40.5% from three-point range, while holding the Panther shooters to a 29.4% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc.
"Amber Holgate chipped in with another strong showing scoring 13 points in 17 minutes. Â She scores in bunches and has found her shot," Bennett said. Â "It was great for everyone to get some playing time in and get up and down the floor. Â We had 9 players with double digit minutes and everyone made the box score. That's always a good thing, especially when you are on the successful end of the game.
"It was a strong showing going into the winter break and academic finals. Â We did what we had to do on the road and look forward to building on to our growth when we return to action on December 29 and 30 in Salem, MA."
The Thoroughbreds particpiate at the Salem St. Tournament Dec. 29-30, taking on the host Vikings Sunday, Dec. 29 at 4 p.m.
