Box Score GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith basketball team made a late run at Skidmore this evening, but the Thoroughbreds held on for 60-56 Liberty League victory in Bristol Gym tonight. Skidmore improves to 5-10 overall, 2-2 in the conference, while the Herons fall to 8-7, 2-2.

The Thoroughbreds jumped out to an early lead behind a 14-2 run. Senior guard Kellye Caufield (Masuk/Monroe, Conn.) scored six of her nine points during the surge. William Smith countered with an 18-3 run to build a 22-17 advantage. Senior guard Paige Myers (Massena/Messena, N.Y.) led the way with a pair of threes on her way to a nine-point game.

Skidmore scored the final four points of the half to trim its deficit to one, 22-21.

The Thoroughbreds seized the lead for good with the first 10 points of the second half, part of a 19-4 run that ballooned the vistors' lead to 14, 40-26. The Herons got within four on a layup by junior forward Erin Cunningham (Morris Knolls/Rockaway, N.J.) with 3:20 to go, but Skidmore pushed back with five straight points to take a 54-44 lead with 1:12 remaining. Cunningham finished with 13 points.

William Smith refused to go down without a fight, creeping within two, 58-56, on a three-pointer by first-year guard Jessie Tarantino (East Aurora/East Aurora, N.Y.) with seven ticks left. The Herons were forced to foul on the ensuing in-bound play and first-year guard Megan Gaugler (Amsterdam/Amsterdam, N.Y.) sealed the win with a pair of made free throws to finish with 12 points.

Sophomore guard Mollie Danahy (Troy/Troy, N.Y.) paced the William Smith offense with 14 points, while junior guard Sharlyn Harper (Holderness/New York, N.Y.) led Skidmore with 14. Senior forward Laura Michel (Christ The King/Middle Village, N.Y.) added seven points and a game-high 10 rebounds for the Thoroughbreds.

The Herons will wrap up its seven-game homestand at 2 p.m. on Jan. 24, when Liberty League front-runner Union (10-3, 4-0) visits Bristol Gym. Skidmore will visit Hamilton tomorrow also at 2 p.m.