SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-The Skidmore College women's basketball team plays two key Liberty League games this weekend, making the short trip to take on crosstown rival Union Friday night before hosting William Smith Saturday.
Skidmore (9-5, 5-0 Liberty League) vs. Union (9-6, 3-4 Liberty League)Game Details: Friday, Jan. 23 - 6 p.m. | Schenectady, N.Y.
Game Coverage: Live Stats Live VideoSCOUTING THE THOROUGHBREDS (9-5, 5-0 Liberty League): Skidmore extended its conference winning streak to five games with an 80-71 win at Clarkson last Tuesday...Senior guard
Molly McLaughlin was one assist shy of a triple-double, scoring 14 points to go along with 10 rebounds and nine assists...Junior guard
Lindsey Davis led all players with 15 points...Freshman guard
Kelly Donnelly recorded her third double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 boards, shooting a season-high 71.4% (5-7) from the floor.
TEAM STATISTICS: Skidmore is 5-2 at home...The Thoroughbreds average a league-best 73.0 points per game in conference contests and have outscored league opponents by an average of 17.4 points...Skidmore is 7-0 when shooting over 40% from the field...The Thoroughbreds have held 12 of 14 opponents to under 40% shooting...Skidmore is averaging 7.3 3-pointers per game in conference games, and is shooting 38.7% from three.
STATISTICAL LEADERS: McLaughlin is averaging 12.2 points and 5.4 assists per game, while shooting 69.9% (16-23) from beyond the arc over the last five games...Donnelly is second on the team in scoring (10.0 ppg) and is averaging 11.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game over the last four contests...Senior forward
Angela Botiba is averaging 14.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in Liberty League competition.
SCOUTING THE DUTCHWOMEN (9-6, 3-4 Liberty League): Union bounced back from back-to-back conference losses with a 58-56 win over RIT on Tuesday...Senior guard Kate Thompson tallied a team-high 16 points, going 6 of 10 from the floor and 4 for 4 from the free throw line...Freshman guard Jenni Barra added 13 points and sophomore guard Natalie Leone had 10 points and nine rebounds.
TEAM STATISTICS: Union is 5-2 at home...The Dutchwomen average 64.5 points per game...Union is 7-1 when shooting 33.3% or better from three and 5-0 when recording 15 or more assists...The Dutchwomen are shooting 36.7% against conference opponents...Union averages 9.13 steals per game.
STATISTICAL LEADERS: Barra leads the team in scoring (11.9 ppg) and ranks third in assists per game (1.7)...Junior guard Cailin Schmeer is tied for the team-high in assists per game (2.2) and sits second in scoring (11.5)...Senior forward Kate Thompson is fourth in the conference in blocked shots per game (1.5), while also averaging 9.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest.
LAST MEETING: Feb. 21, 2014 at Union
Skidmore 69, Union 75
Union posts 75-69 win over Skidmore
vs. William Smith (3-10, 2-3 Liberty League)Game Details: Saturday, Jan. 24 - 2 p.m. | Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Game Coverage: Live StatsLive VideoSCOUTING THE HERONS (3-10, 2-3 Liberty League): William Smith recorded back-to-back league wins last week, beating Vassar and Bard...Four Herons scored in double-digits against the Brewers...Sophomore guard Melanie Patterson scored a game-high 21 points, going 6 for 10 from the field and 8 for 10 from the free throw line...Senior guard Ali Pliszka added 19 points and six assists and sophomore forward Gabrielle Eure had 13 points and 14 boards...Patterson and senior forward Chloe Hayter tallied 14 points each against the Raptors.
TEAM STATISTICS: William Smith is 1-5 on the road...The Herons are averaging 64.8 points per game and are shooting 38.0% from the field against conference opponents...William Smith is averaging 30.2 defensive rebounds per game in league contests...The Herons are blocking an average of five shots per game against Liberty League opponents...The Herons are 0-8 when shooting under 40% and 3-0 when scoring 70 points.
STATISTICAL LEADERS: Hayter is averaging 17.0 points per game and 9.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.3% from the field in Liberty League play...Pliszka is shooting 30.3% from three and is averaging 2.0 3-pointer per game in conference games...She ranks fourth in the league in assists per game (3.2) and assist-to-turnover ration...Patterson is third on the team in scoring (10.9 ppg) and is tied for fourth in assists per game (3.2).
LAST MEETING: Feb. 24, 2014 at William Smith
Skidmore 54, William Smith 64
Skidmore falls at William Smith, 64-54
NEXT UP:The Thoroughbreds go on the road next weekend to take on Vassar and Bard.
