GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College basketball team fell behind early and never recovered, falling to visiting SUNY Cortland 71-41 in a non-conference game in Bristol Gym tonight. The Red Dragons improved to 4-0 while the Herons slip to 0-3.
 
Cortland shot 44 percent from the floor in the first half, knocking down 5-of-11 3-pointers, and went 8-of-11 at the free throw line. The Red Dragons opened the game on a 19-2 run and led 33-4 with 6:24 remaining in the half. Brittney Dumas led the surge with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots in the opening 20 minutes. Kerry McHugh added 9 points off the bench, making all three of her 3-point attempts.
 
Sophomore forward Gabrielle Eure gave the Herons eight points off the bench in the first half. She finished the game with 12 points.
 
William Smith, which trailed 41-14 at the half, shot better in the second half, improving from 16 percent to 38 percent from the floor, but was unable to dig out of its early hole.
 
Dumas finished the contest with game-highs of 23 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots. McHugh added 17 points with five 3-pointers, and Lindsey Minor chipped in 10 points.
 
Sophomore guard Melanie Patterson joined Eure in double figures for the Herons, logging 10 points and six boards. Senior Chloe Hayter, who was in foul trouble for most of the night, contributed nine points and a team-high seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Courtney Chase also had nine points.
 
Both teams return to action on Dec. 2. The Red Dragons will return home to host Ithaca at 7:30 p.m. while the Herons will play in the first round of the Wendy's College Classic. The seeding for the eight-team tournament will be announce on Sunday, Nov. 30.