The William Smith basketball team will be back in action this weekend as it hosts two conference games against Union and RPI. The Herons will take on the Garnet Chargers Friday at 5:30 p.m., followed by a matchup with the Engineers Saturday at 2 p.m. Saturday will be William Smith's spirit game, sponsored by HWS Student Engagement.
 
Fans who can't make it to Bristol Gymnasium this weekend can follow the action with HWS All-Access Video and Live Stats.
 
ABOUT THE HERONS: (3-12, 1-7 LL)

• William Smith is coming off its first conference win of the season as it took down St. Lawrence 60-56  on Saturday. Senior Carly Scott led the Herons with a career-high 15 points, sinking five three-pointers in the win.
• Junior guard Amelia McCulley was named to the Liberty League Weekly Honor Roll after three strong performances last week. She averaged 12.3 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game.
• Junior Giana Lobozzo leads William Smith and ranks 10th in the Liberty League in scoring, averaging 11.9 ppg. McCulley follows in 11th with 11.1 ppg.
• Giana Lobozzo and McCulley also lead the team in rebounding, averaging 5.9 and 4.5, respectively.
• McCulley ranks eighth in the conference in 3-point field goals per game (1.5), while Giana Lobozzo dishes out 2.4 assists per game, which ranks 15th in the Liberty League.
• Defensively, the Herons are led by Giana Lobozzo's 2.8 steals per game, which ranks second in the conference. Junior Ava Lobozzo adds 1.3 steals per game, which ranks 24th.
• William Smith ranks fourth in the Liberty League in blocked shots per game (3.40) and has four players in the top-25 in that category. McCulley ranks third in the conference with 1.4 blocks per game and currently sits in third on the William Smith career records list with 83 career blocked shots. Giana Lobozzo chips in 0.8 blocks per game, which ranks 11th, while sophomore Bridget McCleary and first-year Kira Ostovar add 0.5 blocks per game each.

ABOUT THE GARNET CHARGERS: (11-4, 7-1 LL)

• Union is coming off a 54-52 loss to Vassar on Saturday that snapped its five-game win streak.
• Jelena Perovic leads the Garnet Chargers in scoring, averaging 14.0 ppg. Olivia Cunningham chips in 11.0 ppg for Union.
• Cunningham grabs a team-leading 10.8 boards for the Garnet Chargers, while Perovic adds 8.1 rpg.
• Grace Ceseretti dishes out 3.3 assists per game, while Cunningham chips in 3.1 apg.
• Defensively, Union is led by Cunningham's 2.3 steals per game and Perovic's 1.3 blocks per game.

ABOUT THE ENGINEERS: (10-5, 5-3 LL)

• RPI is coming off a 59-43 loss to RIT on Saturday.
• Siena Smith leads the Engineers in scoring, averaging 9.9 ppg. She is followed by Sophie Costello with 9.3 ppg.
• Callie Flynn grabs a team-leading 4.5 boards, while Niamh Gendron chips in 4.4 rpg.
• Tyler Hormazabal dishes out 2.4 apg for RPI and adds a team-leading 2.9 spg.
• Defensively, the Engineers are led by Flynn's 1.4 blocks per game.

SERIES SNAPSHOT:

• Friday will be the 70th matchup between William Smith and Union. The Herons lead the series 39-30, including a 20-13 edge in Geneva.
• Last season, Union defeated William Smith 59-39 in Geneva on Dec. 6, and 73-44 in Schenectady on Feb. 22.
• Saturday will be the 79th matchup between William Smith and RPI. The Herons hold a 48-30 advantage in the series, including a 28-10 edge in Geneva.
• Last season, the Herons defeated the Engineers 54-48 in Geneva on Jan. 4, before falling 73-42 in Troy on Jan. 14.