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TROY, N.Y. - Sam Krumbhaar's contested three-point attempt from the top of the key hit the front of the rim and the William Smith College women's basketball team held off Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) 74-73 in the Liberty League opener for both teams. The Herons avenged two losses to RPI from last year to improve to 3-6 on the season, while the Engineers fall to 4-6.

After RPI pulled to within a point, 72-71, on a three-point basket from senior Ashley Clough (West Chesterfield, NH / Keene) with 15 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, William Smith made 2 of 4 free throws for a 74-71 edge with 11 seconds remaining. Following a Herons timeout, Rensselaer's Bailei Tetrault (Cohoes, NY / Cohoes) dribbled the ball up the court and found Krumbhaar (Glen Burnie, MD / North County) cutting to the top of the key. Krumbhaar hoisted a game-tying attempt but it was off the mark, caroming to Ellen Boucher (Williston, VT / Rice Memorial), who scored as time expired. 

The game was close throughout with both teams scoring 16 points in the first quarter and 21 in the second. In fact, at halftime, RPI had 16 field goals (16 of 36), while William Smith had 15 (15 of 35) with the Herons holding a 21-20 advantage in rebounding and RPI a 9-7 edge in assists. Clough had eight first half points, while rookie Mia Morrison (Geneva, NY / Geneva), who went on to lead all scorers with 22 points, along with 11 rebounds, had nine.

William Smith opened the second half by scoring 17 of the first 24 points for a 54-44 lead, but RPI closed the third quarter on a 15-4 run, capped by a three-pointer from Krumbhaar as time expired, for a one-point lead (59-58).

The visitors took a five-point lead, 67-62, within the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, but a layup from Rensselaer's Elizabeth Eckhardt (Albany, NY / Guilderland) made it a one-point deficit, 67-66, with just over three minutes remaining. The teams traded baskets for the next two minutes before a pair of Morrison free throws put the Herons ahead 72-68 with 1:11 to play.

A forward, Morrison made 8 of 18 shots from the floor and 6 of 9 from the free throw line for game-high honors. Seven of her 11 rebounds came on the offensive end and she added four assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Junior Gabrielle Eure (East Syracuse, NY / East Syracuse Minoa) also had a double-double, recording 13 points and 14 rebounds for William Smith, which has now won two games in a row after a five-game losing streak.

Clough was one of five Rensselaer student-athletes to reach double digits in scoring, recording 16 points with six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Krumbhaar finished with 15 points, while Eckhardt and LaKissa Martin (Las Vegas, NV / Rancho) both scored 11. Sophomore Shaina Iton (Peekskill, NY / Peekskill) registered a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. She also blocked three shots.

RPI plays again on Sunday, hosting Clarkson University in another league matchup at 2pm at East Campus Arena. The Herons play at Skidmore College on Sunday at the same time.