GENEVA, N.Y.—The Union College women's basketball team used 11 unanswered points to stretch a 1-point second half lead into a 12-point advantage on its way to a 61-53 Liberty League win over William Smith College in Bristol Gym tonight. The Dutchwomen improved to 5-6 overall, 1-2 in the conference while the Herons slip to 4-6, 0-1.
 
William Smith sophomore Erin O'Brien drained a 3-pointer at the 15:39 mark of the second half to get the Herons within one, 38-37, but then Union pulled away with its decisive run. Kate Thompson led the charge with four of her eight points. She also pulled down nine rebounds.
 
William Smith closed the gap to six twice in the final three minutes, but each time Rachel Beaulac answered with a basket to keep the Herons at bay. She finished the game with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
 
Union's Brittney Kenney added a double-double on a game-high 16 points and 13 rebounds.
 
William Smith (4-6, 0-1) was led by sophomore guard Jacqueline Murphy's fourth double-double of the year, recording 13 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. O'Brien, senior Kristen Kush, sophomore Sasha Borenstein, and first-year Chloe Hayter chipped in eight points apiece for the Herons.
 
William Smith led 30-29 at halftime, but shot just 24.3 percent from the floor after the break while the Dutchwomen (5-6, 1-2) connected on 44.8 percent. Union also enjoyed a 49-36 advantage on the glass.
 
William Smith will be back in action at 6 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 13, when the Herons host Clarkson. Union will be back on the court at the same time at Rensselaer.