WESTCOTT SCORES 22 AS KNIGHTS CLOSE SEASON WITH WIN
February 18, 2006
2/18/2006 3:58:45 PM
Vanessa Westcott scored a game-high 22 points in the win over Hamilton - photo by Chris Lenney
Potsdam, NY – A lay up from Monica Thomas (Sandwich, MA) with just over two minutes remaining proved to be the difference as the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team ended the regular season with a 51-48 win over Hamilton College Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.
The Golden Knights improved to 6-19 overall and 2-12 in the Liberty League while the Continentals concluded their season at 8-16 and 5-9 in conference.
Neither team shot well in the opening 20 minutes as Clarkson struggled to go 8-for-24 from the floor and Hamilton made only six of their 28 attempts from the field. The two teams also combined for 24 turnovers in the first half and the Golden Knights won the battle on the glass, out rebounding the Continentals 24-15. Vanessa Westcott (Parish, NY) and Monica Thomas each scored six points in the first half to lead the Golden Knights while Erin Daugherty recorded five points in the opening 20 minutes for Hamilton as Clarkson's rebounding advantage led to a 23-16 halftime lead.
The second half was more of the same as neither team was able to produce much offensively until the final third of the stanza when both teams opened up with lay ups by the Continentals and free throws from the Knights. The score was tied twice in the final few minutes, but the open court lay up off the beaten press from Thomas game the Knights the lead at 2:11. A free throw from Westcott in the final minutes provided the final margin.
Westcott finished with a career-high 22 points, shooting 5-for-10 from the floor and 9-for-12 from the free throw line. Thomas also scored 11 points. Kelly Fink (Verona, NY) scored six points, but grabbed nine rebounds and Erika Fritjofson (East Barre, VT) scored four points and added three steals in her final collegiate game.
Pumla Sathula scored 12 points and added 12 rebounds to lead the Continentals. Sydney Fasulo shot 6-for-12 from the floor for 12 points while Erin Daugherty added 10 points for Hamilton. Madelyn McGuinnis also blocked five shots for Hamilton.