Skidmore topped by William Smith, 65-53

Box Score SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- The Skidmore College women's basketball team rallied late in the second half, but were held off by William Smith in a 65-53 loss, Saturday afternoon at the Williamson Sports Center.

The Thoroughbreds (5-6, 0-3 Liberty) nearly erased two seperate 14-point deficits in the second half, forcing William Smith (9-2, 2-0 Liberty) to make its free-throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.

Jordyn Wartts led the Thoroughbreds, scoring a game-high 21 points and Molly Mclaughlin added 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

The Herons started the game on a 12-0 run, and after going scoreless for the first 8:03 of the contest, Wartts got the Thoroughbreds on the board, scoring Skidmore's first 10 points in 17-6 run. McLaughlin capped the run with back-to-back baskets, cutting the William Smith lead to 18-17.

The Herons surged late in the first half with a 10-3 run ending with an Erin O'brien 3-pointer and carried that momentum into the opening minutes of the second, starting the half on an 8-0 run.

Ella Scheurell's jumper started a 12-0 Thoroughbreds run that saw them come back within two (40-38) with just under ten minutes remaining, but Sasha Borenstein's 3-pointer separation for the Herons needed.

Trailing 51-41 with six minutes to play, Wartts sparked an 8-point run Skidmore run that cut the William Smith (8-2, 2-0 Liberty) lead to 51-49 with 3:19 remaining. William Smith was a perfect 10-10 from the free-throw line in the closing stages of the game, securing the 65-53 win.

Murphy and Hayter both recorded a double-doubles for the Herons, who have won eight-straight. Murphy scored with 20 points go with 14 rebounds and Hayter contributed with 16 points and 11 boards. Erin O'brien added 11 points and seven assists.

"William Smith was a high scoring team that I thought we were able to slow down once we got a few points on the board," said Skidmore head coach Darren Bennett. "Our plan was solid and I think our players executed pretty well the entire game except for a few runs they were able to get us on. We defended the three ball, but did not take away their dribble drives to the basket as much as we wanted to.

"We had some great scoring chances and did a good job at getting them to change defenses from man into zone.

"Our team is working very hard on shooting and executing everyday in practice. Its showing in bits and pieces, so we just have to put a complete game together and not have so many dry spells of scoring especially against teams that are able to score consistently for a complete forty minutes."

The Thoroughbreds host crosstown rival RPI Friday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.

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