Box Score Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y.—The William Smith basketball team controlled the offensive and defensive glass and shot well above its season average, but was done in by its size disadvantage as No. 20 Medaille escaped with 79-72 non-conference victory. The Herons trailed by as many as 18 in the second half, but rallied to keep the final outcome in doubt until the final buzzer sounded.

William Smith came into the contest shooting just .347 from the floor, but connected on 41.5 percent against the Mavericks. Led by first-year guard Jacqueline Murphy's game-high 11 caroms, the Herons outrebounded Medaille 46-30.

The Mavericks (8-1) shot 50 percent from the floor and made more free throws (21) than the Herons attempted (17), while committing 21 turnovers.

William Smith (4-6), which has just one healthy forward on its active roster, was outscored 40-26 in the paint by Medaille.

The Mavericks, who never trailed in the game, used a 13-2 first half run to build a 24-9 lead eight minutes into the contest. A short time later, the Herons rattled off nine unanswered points to get within six, 26-20, with 6:18 left in the opening half. Junior forward Kristen Kush accounted for six of the nine points, while senior guard Mollie Danahy drained a 3-pointer to account for the other points.

Medaille struck back with six straight points and carried a 41-29 lead into halftime. The Maverick first-year forward Bianca Smiley had a game-high 13 points at the break, while Kush led the Herons with 10 points.

Medaille's lead hit its high-water mark at the 11:41 mark of the second half when Smiley completed a traditional 3-point play to make the score 57-39.

William Smith still found itself in a 16-point hole with 3:21 remaining, but the Herons rattled off 10 straight points to make it a 71-65 game with 1:28 remaining.  Kush started it off with a jumper. After a timeout, Danahy stole the ball and netted a layup on the fast break. William Smith fouled and the Mavericks missed the front end of the 1-and-1. Danahy's rebound led to a layup for first-year Liz Douglass. Another foul and missed free throw allowed Danahy to sink a jumper to close out the run.

Medaille was able to hold onto the lead by making 8-of-10 free throws in the final minute.

Kush led the Herons with 20 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Danahy added 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, and a game-high four steals. Sophomore guard Sydni Salvatore chipped in 13 points, including an 8-for-8 effort at the free throw line, while first-year guard Sasha Borenstein buried three 3-pointers for nine points.

Smiley paced the Mavericks with a game-high 23 points. Junior center Tanisha Travis, first-year guard Joelle Pollak, and senior guard Kacie Mills added 17, 16, and 10 points, respectively.

William Smith will be back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 4, when the Herons host Potsdam State. Tipoff in Bristol Gym is scheduled for 5 p.m.