January 31, 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College team trailed by as many as nine in the first half, but used a big second half to earn a 51-40 victory over Clarkson University this afternoon in Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association basketball action this afternoon in Bristol Gym. This is the Herons’ 14th consecutive home win over the Knights.

Poor shooting plagued the Herons in the first half, missing their first five shots from the field. Clarkson capitalized on William Smith’s cold touch to take nine-point lead, 23-14, with 3:30 left to play in the opening half. The Herons cut it to one heading into the break, after sophomore forward Seraphine Hamilton (The Peddie School/Trenton, N.J.) closed out an 8-0 run with a put back at the buzzer.

William Smith shot just 29 percent from the field in the half, while Clarkson connected on all four of their shots from behind the three-point arc.

Whatever it was that Head Coach Glenn Begly said at halftime, it worked as the Herons came out in the second stanza playing tenacious defense, holding the Knights off the scoreboard for the first 3:46 and regaining a one-point lead at 26-25. Clarkson connected on a free throw two possession later to tie the game for the sixth time and final time.

First-year guard Anne Hellebush (Pittsford-Sutherland/Pittsford, N.Y.) made her first three-pointer of the afternoon on the following possession, sparking a 19-7 William Smith run over a span of 6:13 that put Clarkson away for good.

Hellebush led all scorers with 15 points, on 6-of-11 shooting from the field.

The Herons led by as many as 15 down the stretch, holding the Golden Knights to just 30 percent shooting, including just 20 percent from behind the arc, while connecting on 47.8 percent of their shots.

First-year forward Ashley Rodger (Waterloo/Waterloo, N.Y.) posted a double-double, dropping in 12 points and grabbing a game-high 12 caroms. Sophomore Pria Young (Council Rock/Richboro, Pa.) also tallied double-figures with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting.

Senior guard Bridget Sweeny led Clarkson in scoring with 12 points, making 5-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-3 from behind the three-point line.

The Herons return to action on Feb. 6, traveling to UCAA rival Union. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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