MADISON, N.J.—The William Smith basketball team used a strong first half and a career-high showing from junior Giana Lobozzo to secure its first win of the season as it defeated FDU-Florham 65-63 in a non-conference contest to close out 2025.
 
Junior guard Giana Lobozzo led the Herons with her first double-double of the season. She dropped a career-high 22 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds, while also adding two steals, and two assists. Junior Ava Lobozzo chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in the win, while senior Carly Scott scored three key three-pointers to help the Herons to victory.
 
FDU was led by Shannon Tighe's 18 points, five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. My'Shayla Clancy and Christina Sullivan added 12 points each for the Devils and combined for nine rebounds and seven steals in the loss.

TEAM TOTALS

• Rebounds: William Smith 53, FDU-Florham 36
• Assists: William Smith 16, FDU-Florham 11
• Turnovers: William Smith 28, FDU-Florham 15
• Steals: FDU-Florham 18, William Smith 11
• Blocked Shots: FDU-Florham 8, William Smith 3

HERON STAT LEADERS

• Scoring:  Giana Lobozzo 22, Ava Lobozzo 11, Carly Scott 9, McKenzie Mandyck 7
• Rebounding: Giana Lobozzo 15, McKenzie Mandyck 7, Jojo Sulmasy 5, Miranda Martin 5, Bridget McCleary 5
• Assists: McKenzie Mandyck 5, Ava Lobozzo 2, Giana Lobozzo 2, Eily Hubler 2, Bridget McCleary 2, Kira Ostovar 2
• Steals: Ava Lobozzo 2, Jojo Sulmasy 2, Giana Lobozzo 2, Kira Ostovar 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Herons and Devils traded the early points in the opening quarter as William Smith shot 40% from the floor compared to FDU's 47%. The Herons made their presence known on the boards in the first quarter, combining for 12 rebounds and scoring crucial points in the paint. A pull up jumper as time expired by Ava Lobozzo would give the Herons a two-point lead heading into the second quarter.
• William Smith continued to dominate the boards in the second quarter, grabbing five offensive rebounds to extend its lead. The Devils continued to fight and chip away at the Herons lead but clutch three-point shooting from Scott would end FDU's momentum push. A quick scoring run from Giana Lobozzo would extend William Smith's lead to six as the Herons headed into halftime up 39-33.
• The Herons came out hot in the second half and continued on their sharp shooting from behind the arc. William Smith went 4-for-6 from behind the arc to keep its lead intact. A three-pointer from Giana Lobozzo with five minutes remaining would give the Herons an 11-point lead, which was its largest of the game. FDU continued to fight back but could only get within 10 points heading into the final quarter.
• The thrilling nonconference matchup picked up steam in the fourth quarter as the Devils stormed back in the final 10 minutes. FDU held the Herons just eight points in the final quarter as William Smith shot a game-low 19% from the floor. The Devils forced 10 Heron turnovers and scored crucial points on the fast break, but William Smith used the clock to its advantage and sunk crucial free throws to close out the thriller on top 65-63.

COACHES CORNER:
 
"We were unhappy with the way we rebounded against Ithaca, and we know that FDU generates a lot of their offense from their rebounding," said Head Coach Seraphine Hamilton '06. "So, every practice last week was hyper focused on building our commitment to out rebounding FDU. While we always work hard, last night we had a breakthrough that turned our hard work into a different type of fight that we will cement as part of our identity. That's the bar!"
 
FOR THE RECORD

• William Smith collects its first win of the season and improves to 1-7 on the season after defeating the Devils.
• FDU-Florham drops to 5-4 overall with the loss.

UP NEXT
 
William Smith will be back in action on Jan. 2, when it travels to Oneonta, New York, for a nonconference matchup with Hartwick. Action between the Herons and the Hawks is set for 5:30 p.m.