CU Women's Hoops Preview - at Vassar/Bard (1/13-14)

Currently sitting in the middle of the pack of the Liberty League standings, the Clarkson University Women's Basketball has a chance to vault itself near the top this weekend with games at Vassar and Bard.

After traveling down state to face the Brewers and Raptors, Clarkson will return home to the friendly confines of Alumni Gymnasium, where the Golden Knights will play seven of their next nine games from late-January to mid-February. But first, the Knights will try to continue their win streaks against both Vassar and Bard.

Little changed in the averages for Clarkson after Tuesday's game against Skidmore, though the Knights saw their record in league evened at 2-2 while falling to 7-6 overall. Clarkson is eighth in the conference in scoring (55.4 ppg) but is second in the league in defense (55.4 ppg). Devin Sorell ranks second in the league in 3-pointers with 23, averaging 12.5 points per game. Stephanie Grobe is producing 10.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and Madison She leads the conference in both assists (4.0 apg) and steals (3.5 spg) while also contributing 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest.

Over the last two years Clarkson has reclaimed the edge in the all-time series against Vassar with sweeps in each of the past two seasons. That said, both of the 2015-16 contests were incredibly close, with Clarkson leading for only six seconds in a 57-55 victory that pretty much knocked Vassar out of the playoff picture. The Brewers (6-8 overall, 3-2 Liberty League) are a young squad that won't be celebrating Senior Day this year as the entire team is made up of just three juniors and 10 underclassmen. Junior Ariella Rosenthal ranks in the top four in the conference in both scoring (14.5 ppg) and assists (3.4 apg). Freshman Sophie Nick is providing a strong inside presence, ranking fourth in the league in rebounds at 8.4 per game and also placing in the top 10 in scoring at 12.4 ppg. She makes the most of her opportunities, shooting 52.2% from the field and 85.3% from the free throw line. Classmate Isa Peczuh is also kicking in 8.6 points per game.

Bard (0-11 overall, 0-3 Liberty League) lost its two best players to graduation and is struggling to find offense this year. The Raptors average just 39.8 points per game, which is just three spots up from the bottom of Division III, and the team is hitting only 49.0% of its free throws. Clarkson is 9-1 all-time against the Raptors, having won the last six by an average of 21.67 points per game. Though nothing should be assumed, that average might go up after Saturday as Bard has lost its three league games by an average of more than 60 points per game. Annie Kissel (9.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Alexis Akingbade (8.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg) are the team's top two offensive options.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#21 Stephanie Grobe: G; 5' 10"; Senior

#24 Devin Sorell: G; 5' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#21 Stephanie Grobe
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G

#24 Devin Sorell
: 5' 3"; Junior
: G

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#21 Stephanie Grobe

#24 Devin Sorell

Players Mentioned

#21 Stephanie Grobe

#24 Devin Sorell