GENEVA, N.Y.—Three William Smith College starters posted double-doubles in a 72-64 Liberty League women's basketball win over Skidmore College. The Herons improved to 7-10 overall, 5-4 in conference play, while the Thoroughbreds slip to 10-8, 5-5.
 
Juniors Melanie Patterson and Gabrielle Eure and first-year Mia Morrison notched double-doubles for the home team. Patterson's second of her career came on 16 points and a game-high 10 assists. Eure had 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds while Morrison had 16 points and 10 boards. Sophomore Sarah Brophy chipped in 13 points off the bench to give William Smith four players in double figures.
 
Skidmore was led by sophomore Kelly Donnelly's game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Veronica Moceri contributed 9 points off the bench.
 
The Herons led for most of the first quarter, using 6 straight points, including a 3-pointer from Brophy, to build their largest lead of the frame, 14-7. Skidmore brought it back to a 1-point game with the final six points of the quarter.
 
The teams traded the lead back and forth in the second quarter with the Herons scoring the final four points of the half to go into the break with a 38-33 lead. Donnelly led all scorers with 12 points at the intermission, while Morrison had 11.
 
William Smith took control of the contest in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors 15-6. After trading a pair of baskets early, the Herons closed the frame on an 11-3 run, taking a 53-39 lead into the fourth. Sarah Brophy and Melanie Patterson had 4 points apiece in the surge.
 
Skidmore trimmed its deficit to 8, six times during the final 10 minutes, but got no closer.
 
The Herons shot 44 percent from the floor and 63 percent at the free throw line. William Smith enjoyed a 42-36 rebounding edge and committed two fewer turnovers than Skidmore (14-16).
 
The Thoroughbreds shot 43 percent from the floor in the first half, but that number dropped to 33 percent after the break, finishing at 38 percent for the game. Skidmore made 67 percent from the line.
 
William Smith will be back in Bristol Gym to host Rensselaer on Saturday, Jan. 30. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. Skidmore visits RIT tomorrow at 2 p.m.