SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College women's basketball team looks to shake off a three-game skid, as the team races through the midpoint of the Liberty League season this weekend. The Thoroughbreds continue its road trip at Bard on Friday at 6 p.m., then finish off the weekend with a visit to Ithaca on Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
Bard (live stats/video) and Ithaca (live stats/video) will provide live stats and video for this weekend's contests.
 
Skidmore (6-8, 4-3 Liberty League) sits in a tie with Vassar for fifth place in the league standings, nearing the halfway point of the 18-game league schedule. After four straight victories to open up the league season, the Thoroughbreds dropped contests to Vassar, RIT, and William Smith, all on the road.
 
Kelly Donnelly is tied for the league lead in scoring, averaging 18.9 points per game. Donnelly also leads the team in rebounding (7.8), steals (2.1), and shooting percentage (.461). Veronica Moceri is second on the team in scoring, averaging 9.5 points. She's also second in assists, with 3.3. Taylor Ong has bumped up her scoring in conference play, averaging 7.7 points on 50 percent shooting from the field in the seven games. Ari Fustini leads the squad with 3.6 assists per game.
 
"We are looking to get back on track this weekend with another tough road trip with Bard and Ithaca this weekend," said head coach Darren Bennett. "We've really played some strong basketball, but we have not been able to play four strong quarters the last few game and that can wear on you.  We are counting on our team leadership to get us through these tough times and our mission is to continue the course and to continue to grow from inside with the things we know we are really doing well with and to work on the few things that are slowing us down in completing that full game."
 
Bard (0-13, 0-7 Liberty League) is still looking for its first victory of the season. In their last matchup, the Raptors fell to Union on their home court this past Tuesday. After the game against Skidmore, Bard will host rival Vassar on Saturday.
 
The Raptors are led by Caleigh DeCaprio, who leads the team in scoring (8.3) and shares the lead in assists (1.5). Katie Esposito leads the team in rebounding at 6.8.
 
In an interesting tidbit, Bard's new head coach is Casi Donelan-Dobbins, who previously served on Skidmore head coach Darren Bennett's staff from 2011-2013. They will face off as opponents for the first time.
 
Skidmore swept both games in the season series last year, holding Bard to an average of 37.5 points per game.
 
Ithaca (10-4, 5-2 Liberty League) comes into the weekend in second place in the league standings. After starting the league season with a 4-0 record, the Bombers dropped contests against RIT and St. Lawrence, before rallying with a victory at Clarkson. They will face RPI on Friday before Skidmore comes to town.
 
Cassidy O'Malley leads the team in scoring, sharing the league lead with Donnelly at 18.9 points per game. Julie Yacovoni is second on the team with 10.9 points and leads the team in rebounds, at 6.7. Meghan Pickell is third on the team in scoring at 8.6 points per game.
 
Last season, Ithaca defeated Skidmore, 67-61, in a non-league game at the Williamson Sports Center.
 
"We are more than excited for the fight of this weekend's games and then we will get back into the mix of academic classes next week," said Bennett. "This will create another mix of emotions unto themselves as our players' body clocks will have to readjust from a full focus on basketball to academics and work study. It can be a challenging task, but that's why we play the games as athletes and coaches."