SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—Despite a strong opening half of play by the William Smith basketball team, Skidmore used a big second half to race past William Smith 75-61 this afternoon in a Liberty League contest in the Williamson Sports Center.

Two Herons dropped double-digit points in the setback to the Thoroughbreds this afternoon. First-year Jojo Sulmasy led William Smith with 16 points and four rebounds, while sophomore Miranda Martin chipped in a season-high 10 points after shooting 2-for-3 from behind the arc. She added two rebounds and one assist in the loss. Senior Molly Walsh recorded nine points, two rebounds, two steals and an assist in the loss, while sophomore Giana Lobozzo tallied a game- and season-high nine rebounds in the loss.

Skidmore was led by a trio of players registering double-digit points including Cassie Davidson with 20 points and four steals. Sarah Chambers chipped in 13 points and six rebounds, while Becca Horger added 10 points and five steals in the win for the Thoroughbreds.

TEAM TOTALS

• Rebounds: William Smith 30, Skidmore 29
• Assists: William Smith 12, Skidmore 10
• Turnovers: William Smith 29, Skidmore 19
• Steals: Skidmore 21, William Smith 8
• Blocked Shots: Skidmore 2, William Smith 1

HERON STAT LEADERS

• Scoring: Jojo Sulmasy 16, Miranda Martin 10, Molly Walsh 9, Giana Lobozzo 7, Anne Keneally 7
• Rebounding: Giana Lobozzo 9, Jojo Sulmasy 4, Amelia McCulley 3, Molly Walsh 2, Ava Lobozzo 2
• Assists: Ava Lobozzo 3, Anne Keneally 2, Molly Walsh 1, Jojo Sulmasy 1, Giana Lobozzo 1
• Steals: Molly Walsh 2, Giana Lobozzo 2, Jojo Sulmasy 1, Amelia McCulley 1, Bridget McCleary 1, McKenzie Mandyck 1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The opening quarter saw the two sides trade the early momentum as Skidmore finished the opening 10 minutes up 22-17. Despite falling behind, William Smith shot 70% from the floor and found 10 early points from Sulmasy to keep the Herons in the game.
• William Smith continued on its momentum into the second quarter as it held Skidmore to a game-low 29% shooting percentage in the quarter. The Herons found 12 points in the paint and went on a 9-0 scoring run to take the lead with 4 minutes remaining in the half. The Thoroughbreds stayed steady at the free-throw line to give them a 1-point lead heading into halftime.
• Skidmore opened the second half with a 6-0 scoring run to extend its lead to seven early in the third. The Thoroughbreds continued to push the pace and extended their lead to as much as 13 in the third. Davidson led Skidmore with eight points in the third quarter to maintain a seven-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
• The Herons tried to fight back in the final quarter as they found six points from Walsh and five from Giana Lobozzo but they were matched with an efficient Thoroughbred side that shot 56% from the floor and forced eight William Smith turnovers. Skidmore shot 5-for-5 from the free throw line and used the clock to their advantage to close out the conference matchup on top 75-61.

FOR THE RECORD

• William Smith falls to 2-13 overall with a 2-6 mark in conference play.
• With the win, Skidmore moves to 6-8 on the season and 4-3 in the Liberty League.

UP NEXT
 
William Smith will be back in action Friday, Jan. 24, when it hosts St. Lawrence in a Liberty League contest to open Alumnae weekend. Action between the Herons and the Saints is set for 5:30 in Bristol Gymnasium.