Potsdam, NY – After an incredibly slow start and just eight points in the first quarter, the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team somehow surpassed its season-high in points, defeating William Smith 84-70 in Liberty League action Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights improved to 10-4 overall and 5-2 in the Liberty League with their fifth consecutive victory, while the Herons fell to 4-8 overall and 2-2 in conference play. Clarkson will travel to play Skidmore College on Tuesday evening.

Clarkson came out sluggish in the first quarter and William Smith was the exact opposite, creating turnovers and taking advantage of easy shots on the inside and open looks from the perimeter. The Herons were up by 10 in just over two minutes and held a 15-0 lead at the 4:28 mark, with Clarkson finally breaking through at the 3:45 mark on a make from Ashley Loggins. The lead still expanded to as many as 19 for the Herons in the first quarter and finally dropped to 14 midway through the second quarter. However, the Knights went on a 10-0 run, capped off by a pair of free throws from Loggins to reduce the margin to just four points (29-25, 4:10 remaining). Though William Smith halted the run and pushed its lead back up slightly, a Stephanie Grobe layup in the final minute got Clarkson to within three and a missed 3-pointer at the end of regulation nearly completed the comeback for the Knights.

William Smith shot 15-for-25 in the first half, but committed 12 turnovers. Melanie Patterson led the way with 10 points and Kendra Quinn-Moultrie added in nine, all of which came in the first quarter among William Smith's first 15 points. Loggins led Clarkson with 12 points, going 4-for-6 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the free throw line, adding in five rebounds as well. Devin Sorell also tossed in 10 points for the Knights.

Clarkson lost no momentum from the break, scoring the first points of the second half and taking its first lead, 40-39, with just one minute expired from the third quarter. Five minutes later, William Smith regained the lead with a basket by Melanie Patterson, but that was the last time that the Herons would have the advantage as the Knights finished the third quarter on a 9-2 run. In the fourth quarter, Clarkson pushed its advantage to double digits and only briefly saw the Herons get back within seven points late. A Devin Sorell 3-pointer returned the margin to double figures with 3:11 remaining and Clarkson closed out the game with a solid 5-for-6 performance from the free throw line to clinch the win.

Ashley Loggins scored a game-high 25 points, surpassing 1400 for her career, and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Sorell tossed in 24 points. Madison Shea was impressive all-around as well with 16 points, eight boards and six assists. Stephanie Grobe also chipped in 12 points for the Knights. Mia Morrison shot 9-for-20 from the floor to score a team-high 19 points for William Smith, while guards Kendra Quinn-Moultrie and Melanie Patterson added 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Herons.