GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College basketball team never trailed visiting St. Lawrence University, earning its third consecutive win by a score of 79-52 in Bristol Gym tonight. Heron senior Melanie Patterson led all scorers with a game-high 18 points.
 
William Smith (16-4, 10-1 Liberty League) also got 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds and two blocked shots from sophomore Mia Morrison. Senior Alyssa DiCampli contributed 12 points. Senior Krista Anken and sophomore Natalia Baum chipped in nine points apiece off the bench.
 
The Herons shot 49 percent from the field, 40 percent from behind the 3-point arc, and 75 percent at the free throw line. William Smith had a modest 37-32 rebounding edge, but enjoyed a 24-6 advantage in second chance points. The Herons committed a season-low five turnovers while forcing 16 by the visitors.
 
St. Lawrence (7-12, 4-7) put two players in double digits. Senior Caroline Dalton and sophomore Meghan Hynes each finished with 13 points. The Saints shot 37 percent from the field, 33 percent from 3-point range, and 55 percent at the line.
 
William Smith broke the game open in the second quarter. The Herons rattled off eight straight points early in the frame to build a 28-18 lead. William Smith used a 10-0 run over the final five minutes of the half to head into the break with a 44-26 lead.
 
The Herons led by at least 18 throughout the second half and grew their lead to as many as 31 (79-48 with 3:09 remaining in the 4th).
 
The win keeps William Smith atop the Liberty League standings, one game ahead of second place Skidmore.
 
Both the Herons and Saints will be back in action at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4. William Smith will host Clarkson University (11-9, 6-5) while St. Lawrence will travel to RIT (14-7, 7-5).