SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-- (Skidmore women's basketball staff)--Skidmore is geared up to finish the first semester of play on the road in Albany at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS).  The game tonight is slated for a 7:00 pm tip-off. 

Skidmore is coming off a home game victory 63-50, Saturday, December 7 vs. Middlebury moving its record to 2-4 on the season.  Skidmore had its second highest scoring game of the season vs. Middlebury putting up 63 points while holding its second opponent in as many games to less than 60 points (Williams 55 points).
 
ACPHS had its first conference game vs. the College of New Rochelle winning 69-57 on Sunday, December 8 at home.  That win boosted their record to 8-0 on the season.  ACPHS has held its opponents to less than 44 points per contest and is scorching the nets for 62 points per game.  Coach Bennett knows how difficult games during this time of year can be regardless of the opponent saying, "The timing is challenging.  The last day of classes is Wednesday, our game is Tuesday, and our player's minds are on finals.  Papers are due, presentations are being finalized and they are preparing for final exams.  This brings their minds to a different place no matter what.  Combine that with a non-conference road game in the middle of the week vs. a talented, veteran, undefeated opponent playing with a lot of confidence and the game gets tougher and tougher."  "It's going to be a great test for our team," says coach Bennett.  "I am looking forward to seeing how we can play and respond under the circumstances.  ACPHS is a tough place to play.  The gym is a little smaller, the fans are right on top of you and our kid's minds might not be exactly where we need them to be because of their academic situation.  It will be a great test heading into the semester break."
 
Skidmore's defense is starting to click holding its last two opponents to an average of 52.5 points, a recipe for success against most opponents they will face this season. 
 
The Thoroughbreds received some necessary scoring from their bench in their last outing with reserve Amber Holgate scoring a career high 15 in 16 minutes of play.  Ella Scheuerell came through with her consistent play chipping in 9 points off the bench.  Skidmore has the ability to be a dangerous scoring team if they can get all their parts clicking in the same game, but they have yet to do that this season.  Bennett hopes they will be running on all cylinders Tuesday in Albany, "We've got different players other then our top three scorers that can score, it just has to come consistently.  Holgate's 15 Saturday, Lindsey Davis's 15 and Migle Vilunaite's 9 at Hamilton prove that.  When we are able to get a little more scoring on a consistent basis it will open up things even more on the offensive end of the floor for everyone.  Right now teams are able to key in on a couple of players and make everyone else beat them and until we prove teams wrong in their scouting reports on a consistent basis, the scouts will stay the same."
 
ACPHS is well coached, knows how to win, play great at home and have three players averaging double-digit points and one averaging nearly 10 points per game.  They are long and play a smothering 2-3 zone.  They have a great full court press and can wear you down.  Bennett says, "we are going to have to be patient in breaking their press and methodical about going up against their zone.  It will be easy to get open three's vs. their zone, but that's what they want.  We are going to have to work the ball inside out and move their zone from side to side.  Offensive rebounding will be key for us due to the difficulties of defensive rebounding out of zones.  Second and third shot opportunities will be huge if we are going to compete on Tuesday."
 
Skidmore will resume its non-conference play December 29 and 30 at Salem State University before moving into Liberty League play in the beginning of the New Year.