ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The William Smith College basketball team earned a 68-48 win at the University of Rochester tonight. It's the first time the Herons have beaten the Yellowjackets since 2014 and the first time they've won in the Palestra since 2000.
Senior
Mia Morrison led the Herons with game-highs of 22 points and 16 rebounds. She also blocked two shots. Sophomore
Juliana Gamboa added 15 points six boards. Classmate
Stavriana Dimitrakopoulou added 10 points.
The Herons (1-1) dominated the boards, outrebounding the Yellowjackets 57-35. William Smith shot 40 percent from the floor, 40 percent from 3-point range and 71 percent at the free throw line. The Herons limited the Yellowjackets to 22 percent shooting in the first half, including 1-of-11 from 3-point range, and a mere 26 percent for the game.
Lauren Foley led Rochester with 16 points and Julianna Okoniewski chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds before fouling out.
William Smith took the lead for good with a 7-2 burst to end the first quarter. Dimitrakopoulou made a jumper inside the final minute to give the Herons a 13-11 lead. Morrison blocked a Yellowjacket layup attempt at the other end and Gamboa made it a four-point lead with a driving layup. UR made a couple of free throws to pull it back to a two-point game, but sophomore
Kyesha Talerico capped the opening quarter scoring with a layup for a 17-13 advantage.
The Herons kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter, outscoring their hosts 14-6 over the 10-minute frame for a 31-19 halftime lead. Morrison was a rebound away from a double-double going into the break with 10 points and nine boards. Gamboa also scored 10 first half points.
In the third quarter, Foley made one of her four 3-pointers midway through the frame to get Rochester within eight, but the Yellowjackets got no closer. William Smith dominated the fourth quarter, 20-9, to close out the victory.
UR's 48 points are the fewest by the Yellowjackets against the Herons since 1992 (a 68-43 William Smith win).
The Herons will make the home debut on Tuesday, Nov. 27, when they take on Brockport. Tipoff in Bristol Gym is scheduled for 7 p.m.
