Jenny Scudder scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half and Lauren Quarrtocchi added seven of her 12 in the first 20 minutes as the St. Lawrence University Women's Basketball team built a sizeable lead and then held on for a 51-50 Liberty League victory over Union College Friday night at Burkman Gymnasium in Canton.
The Saints (14-6 overall, 7-4 Liberty League) played aggressive defense and held Union (14-5, 8-3) to just seven points in each of the first two quarters and took a 33-14 lead into the halftime intermission.
In the second half, both teams struggled as Union managed just eight points in the third quarter but limited the Saints to just seven points leaving St. Lawrence with an 18-point advantage at 40-22 heading into the final quarter.
The Dutchwomen more than doubled their score in the final 10 minutes with 28 points in the fourth quarter and trimmed the lead all the way down to three points at 42-39 with 3:07 left to play.
Sarah Thomas hit one free throw and Quattrocchi added a 3-pointer to move the lead back to seven points and Thomas added another free throw for a Saint eight-point advantage at 47-39 with 1:08 left.
The teams traded baskets with St. Lawrence scoring on free throws by Thomas and Quattrocchi.
With eight seconds left, Union drained a 3-pointer to trim the lead to 51-48 and forced a turnover on the ensuing inbounds pass to regain possession.
After two Union free throws cut the lead to a point, Caroline Dalton was fouled but missed both free throws and Union moved down the floor with time running out and missed a 3-pointer from the right side as time expired.
Quattrocchi and Scudder each scored 12 points to lead the Saints while Shayna Davner and Sarah Thomas combined for 14 points off the bench and Kaelyn Kohlasch added seven for St. Lawrence. Ellie Gonyeau grabbed a team-leading nine rebounds and Quattrocchi handed out four assists.
