Olivia Parisi posted her sixth double-double to lead William Smith College, but Skidmore College rallied for a 72-67 Liberty League women’s basketball victory this evening.
Parisi recorded a career-high matching 28 points and 10 rebounds, both game-highs. She did most of her scoring in the first half, carrying the Herons to a 33-27 halftime lead with 19 points. She was 9-of-18 shooting with a 3-pointer and 9-of-11 at the free throw line. Lauren DeVaney narrowly missed giving William Smith a second double-double, logging 14 points and nine boards. Brooke Jarvis added 11 points and Christina Mitrow dished out a team-high five assists.
Cassie Davidson led the Thoroughbreds with 16 points and seven rebounds. Julia Blanck registered 12 points and blocked a game-high three shots. Kate McCarney (11 pts) and Becca Horger (10 pts) also notched double digits.
William Smith held a 12-8 lead after a layup by Jarvis with 3:31 remaining in the first quarter, but Skidmore scored the final 10 points of quarter to build an 18-12 lead. Emilija Jakumaite made it 13 straight points with a 3-pointer to start the second quarter.
Over the next five minutes, William Smith outscored the home team 13-2 over the next five minutes to reclaim the lead 25-23. Parisi led the surge with 10 points. Parisi also scored the final six points of the half to send the Herons into the break with a 33-27 lead. William Smith outscored Skidmore 21-9 in the second quarter.
The Thoroughbreds turned the tables in the third quarter, outscoring the Herons 21-8. Skidmore scored the first seven points of the second half and 11 of the first 13. McCarney led the rally with five points.
DeVaney scored the next four points of the game, all at the free throw line, to push William Smith back in front 39-38. The Thoroughbreds closed the quarter on a 10-2 run for a 48-41 lead with 10 minutes to play.
The Herons used the first four minutes of the final quarter to whittle their deficit down to 52-49, but never had a possession with a chance to tie. Claire Driscoll made a jumper at the other end of the floor, touching off an 8-0 Skidmore run.
The Thoroughbreds made nearly as many free throws (22) as William Smith attempted (23). Skidmore was 22-of-26 for the game, including 12-of-14 in the fourth quarter.
The Herons (4-13, 3-8) will return home to take on St. Lawrence (16-2, 10-2) at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4.
