CU Women's Basketball Preview - at Skidmore (2/19)

A buzzer beater more than 200 miles away partially decided the fate of the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team's postseason ambitions, as the Golden Knights have clinched a spot in the Liberty League Tournament for the third straight year. Where they will be playing, however, won't be decided until Sunday's game against Skidmore College.

The Golden Knights enter the contest with a record of 15-9 overall and 10-5 in the Liberty League, while Skidmore wrapped up the top seed in the tournament with a win over St. Lawrence on Friday, improving to 16-8 and 12-3. Clarkson can still be seeded anywhere from second to fourth in the conference playoffs. With a win over Skidmore, the Knights are guaranteed the second spot and will host a playoff game next week. If both Clarkson and William Smith lose, the Knights will be the three seed, while a Clarkson loss and William Smith win sends the Green and Gold to the fourth seed and a repeat match up against Skidmore.

Junior Devin Sorell leads the Golden Knights in scoring with 16.2 points per game, with that figure soaring to 19.1 in conference contests. She also ranks second in the league in free throws made (100) and is the top outside threat in the conference with 48 3-pointers. Junior Madison Shea and senior Stephanie Grobe each average 10.3 points per game and the pair also have nearly identical rebounding figures (5.0 for Shea, 4.9 for Grobe). Senior Alyssia Marsal leads the team in rebounds with 7.8 per game, ranking fifth in the league, and her 2.5 steals per game are second in the conference. Freshman Molly Stewart is also chipping in 7.9 points per game.

Skidmore's success comes in large part from junior Kelly Donnelly. The Liberty League's Co-Player of the Year last season and a likely winner in 2016-17, Donnelly again leads the league in scoring at 20.6 points per game while she also leads the conference in rebounds at 10.8 per contest, including 9.4 on the defensive end. The Thoroughbreds are from a solo act, however, as Veronica Moceri averages 9.6 points per game, with close to half of those coming on her connections from beyond the 3-point arc. Migle Vilunaite also chips in 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the Thoroughbreds. Skidmore one the first meeting between the two team, 60-46, utilizing an 11-0 run over the final 95 seconds.

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Players Mentioned

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

#22 Alyssia Marsal: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#10 Madison Shea: G; 5' 6"; Junior

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

#11 Molly Stewart: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

#22 Alyssia Marsal
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

#10 Madison Shea
: 5' 6"; Junior
: G

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

#11 Molly Stewart
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G