February 16 , 2005

Brittany Clair

CLINTON, N.Y.—The William Smith basketball team went on a 21-2 run that spanned nearly 12 minutes of the first half as the Herons defeated Hamilton College 67-53 in a Liberty League game at Scott Field House on Feb. 15.

William Smith (14-7, 9-3 Liberty) trailed 11-6 just 3:40 into the contest, but held the Continentals without a point during the next 7:28 to take a 20-11 lead. Six different Herons scored during the run, including four points off the hands off sophomore guard Paula Foote (Sidney/Sidney, N.Y.).

Hamilton sophomore Allie Massaro made a jumper to stop the run, but William Smith scored the next seven points, capped by a three-point basket by first-year guard Marisa Vespa (Immaculate Heart/Watertown, N.Y.), to extend the advantage to 27-13 with 4:25 left in the half.

William Smith led 29-20 at the break.

The Continentals (13-9, 7-5) cut the deficit to five points early in the second half, but didn’t get any closer. The Herons committed 30 turnovers, but were able to hold off Hamilton because the Continentals shot just 28 percent (19-67) from the field.

William Smith moved into a four-way tie for first place in the league standings. First-year Brittany Clair (Shaker Heights/Shaker Heights, Ohio) led the Herons with 11 points off the bench. Senior guard Tara Brisson (Bishop Grimes/Liverpool, N.Y.) and senior forward Ivy Parker (Corcoran/Syracuse, N.Y.) added 10 points apiece. Vespa turned in another strong all-around effort, recording nine assists, seven points, six rebounds, and four steals.

First-year Melissa Steppe poured in a game-high 17 points to lead the Continentals.

William Smith will host Rensselaer in another league contest on Feb. 18, at 6 p.m.

The Hamilton College Sports Information Office contributed to this report.

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