GENESEO, N.Y.—Senior forward Mia Morrison scored a game-high 17 points to lead the William Smith basketball team in its season opener at SUNY Geneseo this afternoon. The host Knights closed the game on an 8-3 run to post a 67-63 win.
 
The Herons (0-1) entered the fourth quarter trailing Geneseo (2-0) by 10 points. The Knights expanded a 1-point halftime lead by outscoring William Smith 24-15 in the third quarter. The Herons started the final frame with an 8-2 run, including four points from sophomore guard Juliana Gamboa.
 
Halfway through the final frame, Gamboa drained a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to just three. After a two minute scoring draught for both teams, Morrison made back-to-back layups to give William Smith a 60-59 lead with 95 seconds left.
 
On the next trip down the floor, Geneseo reclaimed the lead for good on a 3-pointer by Lindsay Halpin. After a missed 3-pointer and a turnover by the Herons, Halpin made a jumper to give the Knights a 64-60 lead.
 
Senior Olivia Hughes made a 3-pointer with seven seconds to go, making it a 65-63 game, but Halpin iced the win by sinking two free throws.
 
Gamboa joined Morrison in double figures, finishing with 14 points. Sophomore guard Stavriana Dimitrakopoulou made three 3-pointers and finished with nine points. First-year forward Amy Dooley grabbed a team-high six rebounds and scored six points in her collegiate debut.
 
Halpin led the Knights with 14 points, including seven in the final two minutes. Natalie Alfieri and Kelsey Poplawski added 13 and 11 points, respectively. Brooks McKenna had nine points and a game-high eight rebounds.
 
Geneseo enjoyed a significant advantage at the free throw line, making 13 free throws while William Smith attempted just 11. The Herons ended the game on the plus side in rebound margin (+3) and turnover margin (+3).
 
William Smith will be back on the court on Tuesday, Nov. 20 when the Herons travel to the University of Rochester. Tipoff at the Palestra is scheduled for 6 p.m.