Potsdam, NY – A lay up by Sharlyn Harper with 14.3 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner as Skidmore survived a scare from the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team, 61-59, Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.
The Golden Knights finished the season at 6-19 overall and 2-12 in the Liberty League, while first-place Skidmore closed the regular season at 20-4 and 12-2 in conference.
The opening minutes saw both teams struggle, and the score was tied just 4-4 in the first five minutes. With Clarkson up a single point, 8-7, Skidmore ran off an 8-0 run in just two minutes to take a 15-8 lead midway through the half. The Knights did not fold after the run, however, and came back to tie the score and take the lead with 6:03 remaining following a pair of free throws from Michelle Reddinger (Baldwinsville, NY). Another pair of free throws in the final minute by Reddinger gave Clarkson a one-point edge at the half, 26-25.
Senior forward Michelle Reddinger nearly compiled a double-double in the first half with 9 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 7-for-8 from the free throw line. Freshman Noelle Miller (Hamburg, NY) led all scorers with 10 points in the first period, going 4-for-6 from the field. For Skidmore, Christina Gargiso came off the bench to score seven points.
In the second half, the two teams jockeyed back and forth. Skidmore enjoyed a seven-point lead midway through the half, but Clarkson went on an 8-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Sierra Noles (Averill Park, NY). From that point on, neither team mustered more than a four-point advantage. Reddinger once again kept Clarkson in the game with a pair of free throws later, tying the score at 59-59, but Harper’s left-side drive to the basket provided the winning gap for the Thoroughbreds.
Reddinger finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 11-for-12 from the line. Noles and Miller each added 13 points for the Knights. Four players finished in double figures for Skidmore, led by Harper, who had 15 points and 5 assists. Amber Kinsey tossed in 11 points, while Dana Leonard and Megan Gaugler each contributed 10 points.