Box Score GENEVA, N.Y.--The William Smith College basketball team opened the home portion of its 2000-01 schedule with a 66-55 win over Ithaca College. Senior guard Brianna Tindall (Pultney/Castleton, Vt.) led the Herons (4-1) with 25 points, while sophomore forward Laura Hadwin (Vestal/Vestal, N.Y.) added a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

William Smith parlayed a 17-3 run into a 26-13 lead with 5:33 remaining in the opening half. Tindall paced the charge with 10 points in six minutes. The Herons went cold down the stretch however, missing their final six shots of the frame. The Bombers (3-3) meanwhile heated up to the tune of a 14-0 run to take a 27-26 advantage into the locker room at the break.

William Smith reclaimed the lead for good 38 seconds into the second half on a Hadwin layup. The Herons led 42-37 when they made the game's decisive run. While holding Ithaca scoreless between the 12:48 mark and the 7:43 mark, William Smith rattled off a 12-0 run, including six from Hadwin. The Bombers were able to whittle the lead down to seven, 62-55, with 72 seconds remaining, but a pair of free throws by first-year forward Heather Easter (North Carroll/Hampstead, Md.) sealed the win for the Herons.

Junior forward Leah Cornwell (Wheatland-Chili/Caledonia, N.Y.) chipped in nine points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in the winning effort.

Sophomore guard Kerri Brown (Bayport-Blue Point, N.Y.) led Ithaca with 13 points.

William Smith has now won 81 of its last 82 home games. The Herons will return to action on Sat., Jan. 6, when they travel to Wheaton (Mass.) College for a 2 p.m., tip-off.

--HWS SPORTS--