Box Score GENEVA, N.Y. -- At Bristol Gym, sophomore Leah Cornwell (Wheatland-Chili/Scottsville, N.Y.) scored a career-high 20 points and the William Smith College basketball team turned in an outstanding defensive effort to capture a 64-38 win over visiting Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Herons (8-2, 4-1 UCAA) have now won 75 straight home games, the longest active streak in collegiate basketball. The Red Hawks fell to 5-5, 1-1.

William Smith went on an 11-0 run late in the first half and led 29-15 at the intermission. The Herons limited Rensselaer to 29.2% field goal shooting and forced 19 Red Hawk turnovers in the opening 20 minutes. For the game, William Smith outrebounded Rensselaer 35-28, while forcing 34 turnovers and collecting 22 steals.

Cornwell finished 9-for-16 from the floor and shared game-high rebounding honors with senior teammate Liz Masten (Williamsport/Williamsport, Pa.) with seven caroms. Senior Liz Brown (Marcus Whitman/Rushville, N.Y.) netted 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting, and junior Brianna Tindall (Pultney/Castleton, Vt.) recorded nine points and a season-high seven steals. Sophomore JeanneMarie Vinchiarello (Our Lady of Lourdes/Dover Plains, N.Y.) added three assists and a career-high four steals.

Brown's four assists moved her into third place on the William Smith career list with 303. She also had six steals (299 career), and needs just 31 thefts to become the Herons' all-time leader.

Sophomore Holly Neiweem (East Hampton/East Hampton, Conn.) led Rensselaer with nine points and three assists.

The Herons return to action on Tues., Jan. 11, when they compete in the quarterfinals of the Chase Scholarship Tournament. The pairings will be announced tomorrow night.

-- HWS SPORTS --