TROY, N.Y.—Sophomore Jojo Sulmasy led the William Smith basketball team as it dropped a Liberty League contest at RPI 58-44 this evening.
 
Sulmasy tallied a team-high eight points, shooting 50% from the floor, and added five rebounds and two assists in the loss. First-year Kira Ostovar chipped in seven points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal, while junior Giana Lobozzo added six points, five rebounds and an assist. Classmate Amelia McCulley dropped six points and added one rebound and one block in the setback.
 
Siena Smith led RPI with a game-high 15 points, six rebounds, three blocks and two assists. Brooke Boyle added 11 points, seven rebounds, two steals and an assist, while Tyler Hormazabal chipped in nine points, four steals, two assists and two rebounds in the win.

TEAM TOTALS

• Rebounds: William Smith 41, RPI 38
• Assists: RPI 10, William Smith 7
• Turnovers: William Smith 19, RPI 11
• Steals: RPI 12, William Smith 8
• Blocked Shots: RPI 3, William Smith 2

HERON STAT LEADERS

• Scoring: Jojo Sulmasy 8, Kira Ostovar 7, Giana Lobozzo 6, Amelia McCulley 6
• Rebounding: Bridget McCleary 6, Jojo Sulmasy 5, Giana Lobozzo 5, Ava Lobozzo 4, Dani Krenzer 4
• Assists: Jojo Sulmasy 2, Ava Lobozzo 1, Kira Ostovar 1, Giana Lobozzo 1, McKenzie Mandyck 1, Carly Scott 1
• Steals: Carly Scott 3, McKenzie Mandyck 2, Ava Lobozzo 1, Kira Ostovar 1, Eily Hubler 1
• Blocked shots: Carly Scott 1, Amelia McCulley 1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams took some time to settle in the game before RPI caught the hot hand offensively. The Engineers applied a full court press and forced seven turnovers in the opening quarter. RPI shot 53% from the floor and held the Herons to just 25% as it closed out the opening quarter on top 19-8.
• William Smith locked in defensively to open the second quarter, forcing three early turnovers by RPI and going on a 7-0 scoring run to bring the Herons back within four. William Smith continued to chip away at the Engineers lead as the Herons shot 40% from the floor and outscored RPI 14-8 in the second quarter. A McCulley fast break layup would bring the Herons within five heading into halftime.
• The Engineers and the Herons traded the momentum in the third quarter as RPI shot 40% from the floor compared to William Smith's 36%. The Herons found crucial points from the free throw line, going 6-for-6 from the charity stripe to keep them in the game. A Dani Krenzer jumper would close out the quarter with a score of 49-37 in favor of RPI.
• Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm in the final 10 minutes as William Smith shot 24% from the floor compared to RPI's 20%. The Herons tried to push the tempo and spark a comeback but was met by a strong Engineer defense. RPI used the clock to its advantage as it closed out the conference battle on top 58-46.

FOR THE RECORD

• William Smith falls to 3-17 on the season with a 1-12 mark in conference play.
• With the win, RPI improves to 14-6 overall and 9-4 in the Liberty League.

UP NEXT
 
William Smith will be back in action tomorrow as it travels to Schenectady, New York, for a Liberty League matchup with Union. Action between the Herons and the Garnet Chargers is set for 2 p.m.