January 30, 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College first-year guard Anne Hellebush (Pittsford-Sutherland/Pittsford, N.Y.) dropped in a game-high 24 points this evening, but it was not quite enough as the Heron basketball team fell to visiting St. Lawrence 56-48 in an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association battle this evening.

The Saints (12-3, 5-1 UCAA) jumped out to a 15-6 lead early, before William Smith (8-8, 3-3 UCAA) went on a 10-to-2 run keyed by Hellebush to tie the game at 21 midway through the frame. St. Lawrence regained the lead on the next possession and took a 31-27 advantage into the break.

The Herons dominated the boards in the opening half, outrebounding SLU 26-17, including 15 on the offensive glass.

The second session proved to be a defensive battle as both squads' shooting percentages fell off from the first stanza. William Smith jumped back to within one, 31-30, holding the Saints scoreless for the opening 4:42. Less than two minutes later St. Lawrence stretched its lead back to five on a pair of layups by junior forward Meredith Pridgen (Hanover/Hanover, N.H.).

Down by five with 10:16 left to play, the Herons found their shooting touch, riding Hellebush’s 11 points in a 14-to-5 run to grab the lead for the first time at 48-44 with 5:32 left to play.

SLU answered right away, scoring 12 unanswered points, including seven the charity stripe, to close out the contest. St. Lawrence finished the night 9-of-10 from the free throw line, while the Herons connected on 16-of-22 at the line.

Pridgen led the Saints with 20 points and grabbed a game-high 12 boards, while senior forward Aliza Bogdanich (Kimball Union Academy/Lyme, N.H.) pitched in 14 points and five assists on the evening.

Senior guard Stephanie Leveille (Ossining/Ossining, N.Y.) chipped in eight points and grabbed a game-best four steals for the Herons.

William Smith returns to action on Jan. 31, hosting Clarkson University in Bristol Gym at 2 p.m.

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