Schenectady, NY – Despite 22 points from senior Michelle Reddinger (Baldwinsville, NY) and 18 more from sophomore Carey Turner (Clifton Park, NY), the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team couldn’t hold on to its halftime lead and dropped a 76-67 Liberty League decision to Union College Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Knights fell to 3-12 overall and 0-5 in conference play, while the Dutchwomen improved to 4-1 in the Liberty League and 6-9 overall. Clarkson will look to regroup at home when the team faces Hamilton and William Smith next weekend.
A back and fourth affair from the outset, the Golden Knights and Dutchwomen tussled throughout the first half with numerous lead changes. Clarkson gained a five-point advantage midway through the period, but lost it, and then regained a four-point advantage near the end of the half thanks to a 3-pointer from sophomore Carey Turner.
For the second straight game, senior forward Michelle Reddinger was dominant in the paint, scoring 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting with 7 rebounds through the first 20 minutes. Turner added 8 points in the first half.
Up by seven points, 45-38, with 14 minutes remaining, the Knights appeared ready to claim their first conference victory of the season, but the Dutchwomen went on a 19-4 run over the course of the next seven minutes as Clarkson made just two shots with one offensive rebound during the span. Clarkson cut the deficit to just four points a minute later, 57-53, but the Knights couldn’t get any closer as Union pulled way for the victory.
Clarkson did enjoy a solid advantage on the boards (37-29), but the Golden Knights turned the ball over too many times over the course of 40 minutes (22 turnovers), while Union was slightly more secure on offense (14 turnovers).
Reddinger led the team in scoring for the third straight game with 22 points, shooting 10-for-14 from the floor, and added 13 rebounds. Turner contributed 18 points, going 8-for-15 from the field, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Junior Lauren Pluchino (Liverpool, NY) also tossed in 15 points.
Leah Pepe led Union with 24 points while Lindsay Hage added 16 points in 21 minutes.
