SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The Skidmore College women's basketball team outscored Clarkson 16-8 in the final six minutes of the second half, en route to a 65-57 win in Wednesday night's in the Liberty League semifinal played at the Williamson Sports Center.
 
The Golden Knights (18-8) took their first lead of the contest with 6:45 remaining in regulation, as Alyssia Marsal knocked down a jumper to cap an 11-2 run. Molly McLaughlin provided an immediate response for the Thoroughbreds (16-10) with a 3-pointer, sparking a 7-0 run. Clarkson cut the deficit to two with 3:40 to play after a pair of Brooke Butkovsky free throws and a Devin Sorell layup, but that's as close it would get as McLaughlin started another 7-0 Skidmore charge to put the game out of reach.
 
McLaughlin tied a season-high with 18 points, Angela Botiba had a game-high 20 points and 14 rebounds and Kelly Donnelly posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.
 
The Thoroughbreds opened the game with a 17-6 run, holding Clarkson to 3 of 19 shooting in the opening 10 minutes. The Golden Knights cut the deficit to four with a 7-0 spurt behind five points from Ashley Loggins, but Botiba restored Skidmore's six-point advantage with a layup. Clarkson continued to chip away at the lead down the stretch, pulling within four at the half at 25-21.
 
The Thoroughbreds limited the Golden Knights to 21.6% (8-37) shooting in the frame, including 9.1% (1-11) from beyond the arc.
 
The teams traded baskets over the first four minutes of the second half before Skidmore opened an eight-point lead with a 7-2 run. Clarkson pulled within two at 40-38, but the Thoroughbreds used a 6-0 run of their own to stay in front. The Golden Knights battled back, as Marsal and Loggins ignited an 11-2 run with back-to-back buckets to give Clarkson its first lead of the game at 49-48. However, the lead was short lived, as McLaughlin knocked down a three on Skidmore's next possession, giving the Thoroughbreds the last lead they would need. The Golden Knights made it a one possession game with a 4-0 run, but Skidmore scored the game's next seven points to pull away for good. 
 
Loggins led Clarkson with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Marsal and Sorell added 10 points each.

"Tonight our team played with a lot more urgency and a lot more fire." said Skidmore coach Darren Bennett.  "When you get to this point in the season, everyone is good, every possession is competitive and every possession counts.

"We played the same team three nights ago, and were able to make some adjustments and clean some things up on both ends of the floor.  Clarkson does not have a lot of numbers, but they are fit, strong, skilled, feisty, well led and extremely well coached.

"Our inside play really got us over top making high percentage shots and keeping the ball alive.  We were able to attack the rim a few times because they could not leave the weak side blocks and we hit some nice lay ups down the stretch.  They are a great shooting perimeter team and we were able to neutralize their three ball which was a major problem for us while still defending the drive without fouling, another problem for us on Sunday.

"In the end both teams competed cleanly, had great game plans and put on an excellent show of basketball for the fans.
We are looking to the opportunity to play another game on Saturday. "

Skidmore, which advances to the program's second Liberty League final, will go on the road to take on top-seeded St. Lawrence in the championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28.