January 26, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College basketball team didn’t have its best shooting performance of the season, but the defense, led by senior forward Leah Cornwell (Wheatland-Chili/Scottsville, N.Y.), shut down visiting Clarkson University, as the Herons won the UCAA showdown, 69-43. Cornwell produced game-highs in points (16), rebounds (11), and blocked shots (6).

William Smith (13-3, 6-1) shot just 41 percent from the floor, but limited the Golden Knights (7-10, 2-5) to just 30.5 percent from the floor, including a dismal 6-of-25 performance in the first half. The Herons blocked a season-high 10 shots and forced their guests into 24 turnovers, which they converting into 28 points, adding to Clarkson’s woes.

The visitors took the early lead, but a pair of Laura Hadwin (Vestal/Vestal, N.Y.) free throws with 14:31 remaining in the first half, gave the Herons the lead for good. The junior forward finished with 15 points.

Leading by two with just over nine minutes remaining in the first half, William Smith began to pull away. The Herons outscored the Golden Knights 14-4, heading into the locker room with a 26-14 advantage.

Clarkson pulled to within six early in the second half, but a 12-0 William Smith spurt midway through the stanza put the game out of reach.

First-year guard Maria Atti (Kenmore East/Buffalo, N.Y.) also reached double digits for the Herons, contributing 12 points. First-year guard Kaleen Goodman (Corning East/Painted Post, N.Y.) added a spark off the bench with nine points, all on three-pointers.

Junior Laura Blaaeboer (Ballston Spa/Ballston Spa, N.Y.) was the only Clarkson player in double digits with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

William Smith will be back in action on Feb. 1, when it hosts UCAA rival Union. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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