GENEVA, N.Y.—The combination of cold start to the game and foul trouble late cost the William Smith College basketball team its undefeated home record this afternoon. Visiting Clarkson University got a game-high 21 points from junior Devin Sorell on the way to a 70-61 Liberty League win.
 
The Herons (16-5, 10-2) missed their first nine shots from the floor and managed just 29 percent shooting in the first half. The Golden Knights (12-9, 7-5) led by as many as eight, but had three players in foul trouble (out of a seven-player rotation) in the second quarter. With Sorell, senior Stephanie Grobe, and senior Kathleen Coloney hampered by two or more fouls, William Smith was able to use a 9-2 run to close the gap to just one. CU junior Madison Shea sank a pair of free throws to wrap up the first half scoring with the visitors ahead by three, 31-28. Shea finished the game with 20 points.
 
William Smith rallied to take a 43-39 lead about four minutes into the third quarter, but Clarkson closed the frame on a 15-4 run to carry a 54-47 lead into the fourth quarter. Sorell had six points, all from the free throw line, during the surge.
 
The Herons leading scorers, senior Melanie Patterson and sophomore Mia Morrison both found themselves in foul trouble late in the game, fouling out inside the final three minutes of the game. Morrison posted her 11th career double-double on 17 points and a season-high matching 12 rebounds. Patterson recorded 13 points. Sophomore Natalia Baum gave the Herons three players in double digits as she had 10 points.
 
Twice in the final stanza, the Herons were able to cut their deficit to six, but each time the Golden Knights responded with a bucket of their own to keep the home team at arm's length.
 
Clarkson took advantage of 16 William Smith turnovers, enjoying a 25-4 advantage in points off turnovers.

The loss dropped the Herons' Bristol Gym record to 9-1 on the season. However, Liberty League leading William Smith maintained its one-game lead of Skidmore thanks to Vassar's 62-59 win over the Thoroughbreds today.
 
The Herons will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 10, when they visit Skidmore at 6 p.m. Clarkson will return home to host Bard on Friday at 6 p.m.