SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—The William Smith College basketball team closed out the regular season with a 71-60 Liberty League win at Union College this afternoon. The victory clinched the No. 2 seed in the Liberty League Tournament which begins Wednesday, Feb. 22.
 
The Herons (17-8, 11-5) entered the game assured of a spot in the four-team tournament, but needed a win to claim the second seed. A loss would have dropped William Smith into a tie with RIT and Clarkson, and the league's tie-breaker procedures would have landed the Herons at No. 4.
 
William Smith sophomore Mia Morrison scored the game's opening basket, but the Dutchwomen (12-12, 8-8) countered with a jumper by Erin Lyons and a 3-pointer by Natalie Leone. Union had the lead for all of 45 seconds before the Herons charged back in front for good.
 
Morrison kicked off eight straight points for the Herons with a layup followed by back-to-back 3-pointers from senior Alyssa DiCampli and sophomore Olivia Hughes for a 10-5 lead. A Union field goal made it 10-7, but then William Smith scored seven straight points. Morrison capped the run with a 3-pointer, giving William Smith a 17-7 lead with four and a half minutes left in the first quarter.
 
The Heron lead peaked at 10 in the first half and rested at seven, 39-32, heading into halftime. William Smith shot 49 percent from the field in the first half with three 3-pointers. Morrison led all scorers at the break with 11 points.
 
In the second half, Union was able to get within a single possession three times, but each time the Herons quelled the threat. Jenni Barra drained a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter to make it a 43-40 game, but DiCampli answered with a triple of her own. William Smith carried a 52-47 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
Lyons hit from beyond the arc just over three minutes into the final frame to make it a 56-53 game, but Morrison connected on a pair of free throws at the other end of the floor. Union made its final bid for the lead on five straight points by Lyons, trimming the Heron advantage to 62-60 with under three minutes to go. William Smith dashed the home team's hopes of a comeback with a victory clinching eight straight points. Senior Melanie Patterson led the late charge with five of her 12 points in the game.
 
Morrison led all scorers with 18 points and shared game-high honors with seven rebounds. DiCampli accounted for half of the Herons' six 3-pointers and posted 11 points.

Lyons and Barra paced the Dutchwomen with 17 points apiece. Sophie Borg added 11 points. Lyons also had seven rebounds and blocked three shots. Nicole Conley also had three blocks.

William Smith will host RIT (17-8, 10-6) in the Liberty League semifinals. Tipoff in Bristol Gym is scheduled for 7 p.m.