Potsdam, NY – Junior Michelle Reddinger (Baldwinsville, NY) and freshman Carey Turner (Clifton Park, NY) each nearly posted double-doubles, but it wasn’t enough against the Liberty League leader as the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team fell to Union College 76-63 Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights fell to 6-15 overall and 1-9 in conference games, while the Dutchwomen moved on to 15-5 and 9-1. Clarkson goes on the road next weekend to face Hamilton and William Smith.

To start off the game, Union immediately went inside to the team’s leading scorer in Michelle Rogers, who quickly converted a pair of lay ups in the opening minutes. The Golden Knights responded by not being intimidated, trying a similar tactic with Michelle Reddinger, which worked for Clarkson, as the Knights rallied back to take a 10-9 lead at 12:32. Union came with a 13-0 run over the next three minutes to take a double-digit lead, and though the Knights briefly cut the lead back to less than 10, the Dutchwomen finished the half with a 14-point advantage.

Both teams excelled on the interior as the conference’s two leaders in field goal percentage both shot well. Reddinger shot 4-for-5 from both the field and the free throw line for a game-high 12 points, while Michelle Rogers of Union scored 10 points, shooting 4-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line. Outside of Reddinger, the Knights shot just 3-for-14 from the field.

Union appeared as if it would pull away and make the game a blowout in the early minutes as it extended the lead to as many 19 points, holding an 18-point advantage at 12:35, 53-35. However, Clarkson stepped up its defense in the paint, tipping passes to create steals and open court chances. With an 11-2 run in just over two minutes, the Knights cut Union’s lead to single digits and on a few occasions reduced it to just six. However, the Dutchwomen went back to Michelle Rogers inside and she continued an outstanding performance to take Union to the win.

Reddinger had 21 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 5-for-10 from the field and 11-for-12 from the line, while Turner had 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals for a solid all-around performance. Freshman Morgan Carella (Roslyn Heights, NY) and Amanda Koenck (Pottstown, PA) added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Rogers finished with 25 points, shooting 9-for-14 from the field and 7-for-7 from the line. Selin Whitham added 13 points, 6 assists, and 5 steals, while Lauren McCormack added 12 points and 7 rebounds, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.