CANTON, N.Y.—The William Smith basketball team made nine 3-pointers on the way to a 60-56 Liberty League win at St. Lawrence this afternoon. After leading by as many as 12, the Herons held off a late charge and converted at the free throw line in the final minute to ice the victory.
 
Senior Carly Scott led William Smith with a career-high 15 points. She connected on 5-of-10 shots, all from beyond the arc. Junior Amelia McCulley joined her in double digits with 11 points. Junior Dani Krenzer gave the Herons a spark off the bench, matching her career-high with eight points.
 
The Saints came into the game leading the league in 3-point percentage (.362) and 3-pointers made per game (8.7), but went 2-of-13 (.154) from beyond the arc against the Herons' perimeter defense. SLU had made at least six triples in every game and had shot no worse than 25.9% from deep this season. Jackie Malley and Stevie Bannon led St. Lawrence with 13 points apiece. Malley also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Saints rallied from an 11-point deficit with under eight minutes left. Malley went to the line with 53 seconds remaining with a chance to tie the game. She made only 1-of-2 to cut the Heron lead to 57-56. William Smith missed a 3-pointer, but Jojo Sulmasy grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. The Saints had to commit two more fouls to send the Herons to the line, where McKenzie Mandyck made both shots for a 3-point lead.
 
SLU missed a 3-pointer for the tie and McCulley collected the carom and was fouled with three seconds left. She made the first of her free throws to make it a two-possession game and seal the victory.
 
COACH'S CORNER

"We're coming together at the right time. To be able to play 11 different players in a tight game and feel everyone has a positive impact is huge for Saturday league play. We played together, sharing the ball on offense and playing great team defense. It was a classic team effort!" – William Smith Head Coach Seraphine Hamilton '06

 
GAME RECAP
First Quarter: William Smith 18, St. Lawrence 18

• The Herons led by as many as six in the opening quarter.
• William Smith shot 43.8% from the floor while holding St. Lawrence to 16.7% shooting.
• The Saints were able to keep the game close by making all 12 of their free throw attempts.

 
Second Quarter: William Smith 33, St. Lawrence 28

• The Herons started the frame on an 11-3 run with Dani Krenzer giving William Smith a spark with six points on the way to a 29-21 lead.
• The Saints outscored the Herons 7-4 over the final five minutes of the quarter to trim their deficit to five by halftime.

 
Third Quarter: William Smith 49, St. Lawrence 42

• William Smith built a 12-point lead over the first six-plus minutes of the half.
• McCulley and Scott sank back-to-back triples to fuel the push.
• The Saints fought their way back, ending the quarter on a 7-2 run.

 
Fourth Quarter: William Smith 60, St. Lawrence 56

• The Saints' Jackie Malley made the backend of a two-shot follow to opening the scoring in the final frame. It was the 1,000th point of her career.
• The Herons scored the next five points, taking a 54-43 lead on a Scott 3-pointer.
• SLU (9-5, 4-3) rallied to cut William Smith's lead to one by scoring 13 of the next 16 points setting up the drama of the final minute.

 
UP NEXT

• William Smith (3-12, 1-7) will return to Bristol Gym to host Union on Friday, Jan. 23. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.