SAINTS FALL IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

 

GENEVA, N.Y.—Top-seeded William Smith College won the 2005 Liberty League Women’s Basketball Tournament and the accompanying automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, 68-55, over No. 2 St. Lawrence University this afternoon in Bristol Gym. The Herons pulled away in the second half to secure their first conference championship since 1999.

 

The first half was a nip and tuck affair that saw the lead change hands eight times. William Smith’s seven-point advantage with 5:54 remaining in the opening stanza was the largest of the period, but St. Lawrence (15-10) closed out the session with a 14-5 run to take a 34-32 lead into the break.

 

William Smith sophomore guard Paula Foote was the high scorer at halftime with 10 of her career-high 14 points. She finished the game 5-of-7 from the floor, including two three-pointers.

 

In the second half, senior forward Meredith Pridgen tied the contest for the eighth and final time with 14:46 remaining. From there, the Herons (18-7) launched a 15-3 run to build a 12-point lead. Junior forward Tanya Richvalsky scored five of her 12 points during the surge.

 

Defensively, meanwhile, William Smith held St. Lawrence without a field goal for over seven minutes ( 11:46 to 3:28). The Saints never got closer than nine down the stretch.

 

The Herons, who cut down the nets following the victory, torched the twine in the second half, shooting 52.4 percent from the floor (.412 for the game), while holding St. Lawrence to just 29.2 percent (.373).

First-year guard Marisa Vespamatched Foote’s team-high 14 points, while first-year forward Stephanie Czajkowskiadded 10.

 

Sophomore forward Andrea Muszynski (Mt. Mercy/Buffalo, N.Y.) was the lone Saint in double digits with a game-high 15 points.

 

The victory marks the Herons’ first conference tournament championship and their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2000.

 

 

SAINTS ADVANCE TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

 

Feb. 25: The St. Lawrence women’s basketball team beat Union today, 65-59, at William Smith to advance to the championship game of the Liberty League tournament tomorrow at 2:00 pm.

 

SLU contributed a group effort for the win, with 4 players scoring in double digits. Andrea Muszynski (left) led all scorers with 15 points, and also contributed 7 boards and 2 steals. She shot 5 of 7 from the floor and 5 of 6 from the stripe.

 

Meredith Pridgen and Jess Zuk both scored 14 points. Pridgen grabbed 7 rebounds, blocked 2 shots, and shot 7-11 on the day. Zuk contributed 6 assists, 2 steals, 5 rebounds, and shot 4-6 from the floor including 2 three pointers. She also hit 4 of 6 from the free throw line.

 

Jamie Wolff scored 12 points, including 3 three pointers and 3 from the stripe, and added 2 steals.

The game changed hands 5 times in the first half, with SLU ending up on top going into the locker room with a 2 point lead at 25-23.

 

St. Lawrence used a 20-8 run to open the second half to pull away from Union, but the Dutchwomen refused to go away, whittling their deficit down to four, 61-57, with 42 ticks remaining. It wouldn’t be enough, St. Lawrence hit four of six free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

 

Melissa Marra and Emily Scott led Union scorers with 12 each. Scott also grabbed a team high 8 boards.

The Saints will face off against the winner of William Smith and Hamilton tomorrow in the championship game at 2:00 pm to determine who will get the automatic NCAA tournament bid. To follow the action live on the web, click here.