SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-- The Skidmore College women's basketball team is ready to make the most of its return to the Liberty League playoffs, playing for the program's first NCAA Tournament berth.
 
In a semifinal game that will feature one of the Liberty Leagues top defensive teams against one of its top-ranked offenses, the third-seed Skidmore travels to St. Lawrence on Feb. 20 for a 7 p.m. game.   The Thoroughbreds are making their first tournament appearance since 2009-2010. Skidmore faced St. Lawrence twice during the regular season, each team earning the win on their respective home court. The Saints won 67-52 on Jan. 8, while the Thoroughbreds won 46-44 on Feb. 5.
 
Skidmore boasts one of the top defensive team in the conference, allowing only 55.6 points per game, while holding opponents to 36.1 percent shooting from the field. The Thoroughbreds boast a balanced scoring attack led by Sophomore Angela Botiba's 10.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Botiba enters the tournament shooting nearly 62 percent (24-39) from the field over her last three games. 
 
Skidmore features five players averaging between 5.5 and 7.7 points per game. Sophomore Jordyn Wartts is averaging 7.7 points and 4.1 rebounds.  Freshman Skylar Caligaris is adding 7.5 points, making a team-high 2.0 threes per game. Freshman Dani DeGergory is scoring 6.9 points and adding 2.1 assists per game. Sophomore Molly McLaughlin contributes a team-high 2.8 assists per game, while senior Logan Frederick is chipping in 5.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
 
Preseason favorite, St. Lawrence has the second best scoring offense in the conference, at 66.2 points per game. The Saints feature a pair of weapons in Kara McDuffee and Kelly Legg.  McDuffee is averaging 15.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Legg scores 12.1 points per game and averages 7.1 rebounds.
 
The winner will advance to face the winner of Vassar versus William Smith in the Liberty League Championship on Feb 23.