Skip To Main Content

Scoreboard

Clarkson University Athletics

SheaMadison2017vsRIT

Women's Basketball February 23, 2017

CU Women's Hoops Playoff Preview - at RIT (2/25)

Whether it is seeds one versus two or three versus four, the teams are the same as last year for the Liberty League Championship as the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team will take on RIT in the conference title game for the second year in a row.

In 2015-16, the Golden Knights won the regular season crown and the Liberty League post-season title in with a 65-63 victory over then second-seeded RIT. This time around, the Golden Knights will have to win a pair of road games for the conference championship. Fourth-seeded Clarkson took care of top-seeded Skidmore on Wednesday (75-63) and now travels to play the third-seeded Tigers, who suddenly find themselves at home after defeating number-two seed William Smith (62-45). The championship's game time is set for 4:00 pm on Saturday in Rochester, NY.

The two regular-season meetings between Clarkson and RIT were split, with each winning at home. The Golden Knights claimed a three-point win, 80-77, in mid-January thanks to a combined 42 points from its junior backcourt of Madison Shea and Devin Sorell. In early February, the Tigers exacted some revenge with a 78-63 win as Tara Lynch and Ashlynn Palmitesso each scored 21 for RIT.

The Golden Knights (16-10) are in the Liberty League playoffs for the third straight year and have now won three straight conference post-season games. Junior Devin Sorell leads the team with 16.2 points per game thanks to prowess from beyond the arc (49 3-pointers, first in the conference) and an uncanny ability to get to the free throw line (117 free throws, first in the Liberty League). Sorell averaged 18.0 points per game against the Tigers this year and has scored at least 17 points in each of her last five contests versus RIT dating back to last season. Classmate Madison Shea is second on the team in points (10.5 ppg) and has averaged 16.0 points per game against RIT this season. She also is in the top three in the conference in both assists (3.7 apg) and steals (2.7). Seniors Stephanie Grobe and Alyssia Marsal are also contributing considerably as starters. Grobe is tossing in 10.3 points per game while Marsal is producing all around with 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, figures that all rank in the top five in the conference. Marsal is averaging 8.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.0 steals per game against the Tigers this year.

RIT (18-8) has been through an up and down season, but the Tigers are currently enjoying one of the ups. The Tigers started off 8-0, then suffered through a 2-7 stretch, and are now winners of eight of their last nine games. RIT leads the conference in most offensive categories, including scoring (72.7 ppg), field goal percentage (43.2%), 3-point field goal percentage (34.9%), 3-pointers (170) and margin of victory (+13.6 ppg). Sophomore Cori Okada has enjoyed a nice season for the Tigers, averaging 14.0 points per game (fifth in the conference) and a league-best 4.5 assists per game. In the first meeting of the season against Clarkson she kept the Tigers in the game with 25 points and in game two she found her teammates to the tune of 12 assists. Classmate Tara Lynch, the Liberty League Rookie of the Year in 2015-16, is averaging 12.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Lynch has been particularly difficult for the Golden Knights, averaging 17.5 points and 8.0 rebounds against Clarkson this year while shooting 71.4% from the floor (15-for-21). Junior Jessica Glaz also is in the top 10 in the conference in scoring at 12.5 ppg and is second in 3-pointers with 45. Senior Ashlynn Palmitesso also averages 10 points per contest.




 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Stephanie Grobe

#21 Stephanie Grobe

G
5' 10"
Senior
Alyssia Marsal

#22 Alyssia Marsal

F
5' 10"
Senior
Madison Shea

#10 Madison Shea

G
5' 6"
Junior
Devin Sorell

#24 Devin Sorell

G
5' 3"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Stephanie Grobe

#21 Stephanie Grobe

5' 10"
Senior
G
Alyssia Marsal

#22 Alyssia Marsal

5' 10"
Senior
F
Madison Shea

#10 Madison Shea

5' 6"
Junior
G
Devin Sorell

#24 Devin Sorell

5' 3"
Junior
G