SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Senior
Nicole Conley flirted with a triple-double by recording 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks as the Union College women's basketball team used another strong fourth quarter to move past Clarkson University, 56-40, in a Liberty League matchup on Friday night at the Viniar Athletic Center.
As the team has done many times already this season, Union (8-3, 3-2 Liberty League) pulled away with a dominant fourth frame, outscoring the Golden Knights 24-10 over the final 10 minutes and 35-18 after halftime.
Conley had another strong effort, swatting away a career-high seven shots as part of a defensive effort that saw Union record 11 blocks as a team. Junior
Elly Vaughan just missed a double-double of her own, recording nine points and 10 rebounds, while freshman
Anna Metcalf provided a spark off the bench with nine points.
Neither team shot the ball very well in the opening quarter, with the teams combining for just eight made field goals. Union jumped out to a 9-4 lead after a layup from Metcalf, but Clarkson (5-7, 2-4 Liberty League) closed with eight straight points to take a 12-9 lead after 10 minutes.
The shooting efficiency improved to the Dutchwomen in the second quarter, hitting 5-of-11 shots from the floor, but Clarkson's Molly Stewart scored eight of her team's 10 points in the frame to give the visitors a slight 22-21 edge at the half.
Coming into the game ranked second in Division III by averaging 3.30 blocks per game, Conley had five rejections by herself in just the opening half. The senior added a team-best nine points and Vaughan hauled in a team-leading seven boards at the break as well.
Union created a little separation in the third, but it was the fourth quarter that saw the home team pull away. Offensively, Union hit 7-of-8 shots (87.5 percent) from the field – with Conley hitting all five of her attempts – while holding Clarkson to 3-of-17 shooting (17.6 percent) at the other end.
Union will return to action tomorrow, when the Dutchwomen host St. Lawrence University in another key Liberty League matchup at the Viniar Athletic Center beginning at 2 p.m.
