FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—The William Smith College basketball team scored the final five points of the game to defeat Plattsburgh State 60-55 in the Cruzin Classic this afternoon. Sophomore guard
Olivia Hughes made a short jumper in the paint with about two minutes remaining to put the Herons in the lead for good.
The Cardinals (5-5) missed their final three shots from the field, including two that would have tied the game or given Plattsburgh the lead. The Cardinals also committed a pair of turnovers in the final 20 seconds, both as the result of steals by Hughes. William Smith (5-2) inched away by making the backend of two shot fouls three times in the final 30 seconds to secure its fourth straight win.
Senior guard
Alyssa DiCampli led the Herons with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Senior guard
Melanie Patterson added 11 points, a team-high seven rebounds, a game-high four steals, and a team-high three assists. Hughes chipped in 10 points and three steals.
Jax Miller and Frannie Merkel shared game-high honors with 15 points apiece for Plattsburgh. Moe Jones scored 10 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
William Smith scored the first six points of the game and led 13-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Herons never trailed in the second quarter, taking a 28-23 lead into halftime.
The Cardinals used a 15-4 run to start the second half to build its largest lead of the game. Bella DePasquale capped the run with a 3-pointer, giving Plattsburgh a 38-32 lead. William Smith reclaimed the lead with seven straight points to end quarter, with sophomore guard
Cassidy Carrafiello sinking a 3-pointer for a 39-38 lead through 30 minutes.
Patterson gave William Smith its largest lead of the fourth quarter on a layup that made it 46-40. Three minutes later, Miller made a 3-pointer that put Plattsburgh up 53-52. Patterson countered with a jumper to put the Herons back in front. Senior forward
Krista Anken made 1-of-2 at the free throw line to make it a two-point Heron lead. Jones made the Cardinals' final basket of the game, tying the contest with 2:28 remaining.
William Smith used a balanced effort to claim a 45-34 rebounding advantage. The Herons outscored Plattsburgh 28-20 in the paint and enjoyed an 11-2 edge in fast-break points. William Smith also got far more production from its bench, which outscored the Cardinal reserves 17-5.
The Herons will play their final game in the Cruzin Classic at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 20, when they face No. 8 Wartburg (9-0).
