Geneva, NY – Despite abnormally poor free throw shooting down the stretch, the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team was able to pull off its 13th straight win with a 60-52 decision over William Smith on Friday night.

The Golden Knights improved to 18-4 overall and are now 11-2 in the Liberty League, and the team clinched a playoff spot in the conference tournament for the second straight year. Clarkson needs just one win in its last three games to earn a home playoff game.

In the first meeting between Clarkson and William Smith, the Knights outscored the Herons 76-47 in the final three quarters, and that overwhelming advantage continued in the first half as Clarkson enjoyed a 20-point lead (38-18) at the break. Clarkson was up by just a single point four minutes into the game, but the team went on a 14-3 run in the final six minutes of the period. That streak continued up to 23-7 on a Devin Sorell 3-pointer at the 5:59 mark in the second period and was pushed all the way to 37-13 after free throws for the Knights midway through the third quarter. However, Clarkson went cold after enjoying that 25-point advantage midway through the third.

Clarkson led by 16 points at the start of the third and was still 15 points (54-39) with 7:53 remaining in the game, but the Knights made just two baskets in the fourth quarter, allowing William Smith to claw back in the game. After a 3-pointer by Olivia Hughes and a pair of free throws from Gabrielle Eure, the Herons were within three (55-52) with 2:10 to go. However, after a key rebound by Ashley Loggins, the senior forward finished off the next possession for the Knights with a layup to push the margin back to two possessions. That basket proved to be a momentum shift for the Knights, as the defense stepped up to force three turnovers and hold William Smith scoreless in the final 75 seconds after Loggins' make. That was made even more important for Clarkson, as the Knights uncharacteristically struggled from the free throw line in the final minute, making just three of their 10 attempts.

Loggins recorded her seventh double-double in the last 10 games with 19 points, 16 rebounds and six steals. One of her later rebounds in the first half made her the all-time leader in program history, surpassing the 900 rebounds accumulated by Linda Bondellio (1999-2003). Her sixth steal in the game also gave her 90 for the season, making her only the second player in program history to reach that total in one year. Stephanie Grobe also tossed in 16 points, while Devin Sorell added 15 points and four assists. Clarkson shot 17-for-35 in the first half, but went just 5-for-27 in the second half.

The key for Clarkson in the game was its defense once again, as the Knights forced William Smith to commit 23 turnovers while making just 10 of their own. Melanie Patterson led the Herons with 15 points and four assists. Mia Morrison had a double-double with 10 points and 13 boards, but the freshman committed eight turnovers, and Gabrielle Eure had 10 points and 11 rebounds.