SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The Skidmore College women's basketball team led from start to finish on the way to a 71-61 non-conference win against Wesleyan University.
 
The Thoroughbreds are a perfect 5-0, including 3-0 against New England Small College Athletic Conference teams. The clean record is the program's best start since going 6-0 to open the 2009-2010 season. The Cardinals are 3-2.
 
Kate McCarney led three Skidmore players in double figures with 17 points, including a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. Amelia Medolla added 13 points and Julie Blanck scored 11 points andhad three blocks and seven rebounds. Maddie Hastings contributed a team-high 11 rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
 
Marina Petruzzi paced Wesleyan with 17 points. Caleigh Ryan scored 16 and Maddie Clark 12.
 
Skidmore set the tone early, when Amelia Medolla came off the bench to trigger an 11-0 run from 3:37 to play in the first to 1:38 left for a 19-7 lead. Medolla scored all 11 points, going 3-3 from beyond the arc.
 
Wesleyan never fully recovered. Skidmore led by as many as 19 in the second quarter, taking a 37-24 lead into the half. The Cardinals chipped away in the third and got to within six, 67-61 with 54.4 to play. The Thoroughbreds kept Wesleyan off the board after that, hitting 4-of-6 free throws to secure the 71-61 win.
 
Skidmore's bench outscored the Cardinals 30-8 and the Thoroughbreds went 14-20 (70%) from the line, while Wesleyan was 17-30 (56.7%) in free throws and had a cold 20-75 (26.7%) from the floor. Skidmore's defense has held opponents to just 30.5% from the floor through the first five games.
 
Liberty League play is up next with a home game against Clarkson University on Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m.