SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Senior Nicole Conley led all scorers with 24 points as the Union College women's basketball team knocked off previously unbeaten Hamilton College by a 65-56 score in non-conference action on Tuesday night at the Viniar Athletic Center.
 
Conley had another big game in the paint, adding eight rebounds, four blocks and three assists to her ledger. But she did not do it alone, as sophomore Corina Lindsay added 11 points and junior Elly Vaughan added six points, a team-high 11 rebounds, four blocks, four steals and two assists.
 
Union trailed for only 30 seconds in the opening quarter, as freshman Anna Metcalf scored on the game's first possession and the home team held the lead for almost the entire frame. Lindsay hit a pair of shots to give her a game-high five points after 10 minutes, but a late three gave Hamilton a 13-12 edge.
 
The second quarter was marked by solid defense on both sides, with neither team cracking the scoreboard in the first 5:10 of the period. Freshman Amber Raisner finally broke the ice with a jumper to put Union back up 14-13, and four Conley free throws and two from freshman Darby Leid helped the home team jump out to a 20-14 advantage. Hamilton was held without a field goal until 2:30 remained, as Union took a 28-24 lead into the half.
 
The Dutchwomen outscored the Continentals 24-16 in the third quarter to take control of the game. A three from junior Joana Santos and a Leid jumper built up a nine-point lead in the opening minute. After Hamilton battled back to within three at 42-39 with 2:48 left, Union closed on a 10-1 run, with Metcalf scoring seven of those points to give her team a big lead.
 
Conley then took over in the fourth, scoring 11 of Union's 13 points to help close out the win. She scored the first four points to give the Dutchwomen their biggest lead of the night at 56-40 with 8:12 left, and the visitors got no closer than nine the rest of the way.
 
Union finished the night shooting 38.3 percent (23 of 60) from the field, but recorded 10 blocks in limiting Hamilton to a 28.4 percent (19 of 67) effort at the other end.
 
The Dutchwomen will play their final game before the holiday break on Monday, when the team travels to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for a 5 p.m. tipoff.