Dylan Watkiss hit a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to give St. Lawrence at 73-70 lead with 46 seconds left in overtime to propel the St. Lawrence University women's basketball team to a 79-77 win over Vassar to move into sole possession of first place in the Liberty League women's basketball standings. 

The Saints were 10-for-10 from the free-throw line in overtime, including a 6-for-6 performance from Ava McCann, who led the team with a career-high 31 points, shooting 12-for-24 from the field.

Katie Frederick recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

"That was an amazing game. I'm so proud of the team," said Saints' head coach Dan Roiger. "They have worked so hard all season and particularly this week to get ready for this game."

From the opening tip, the game was a back and forth contest. The aggressive defense by the Saints and the scoring power of McCann, who had 18 in the half, allowed the Saints to enter the half with a three-point lead. Both teams were almost identical shooting from the field as St. Lawrence shot 48.5% while Vassar shot 46.9%. 

"This game was a battle between two equal teams and we slugged it out back and forth all game long," said Roiger. "No lead was big and no lead was safe; it went back and forth all game."

As the second half began, the Saints picked up where they left off with a 3-pointer by Annabella Pugliese to take a 38-32 lead, their largest of the night. Vassar, led by back-to-back 3-pointers by Sarah Gillooly, was able to gain the lead late in the third quarter and led by one going into the fourth. 

Vassar carried the momentum into the fourth quarter leading 54-49, their largest lead of the day, with 6:40 left to play. However, the Saints' offense quickly bounced back to regain the lead with 2:17 left to play. With 17 seconds left in regulation, the Saints were leading 64-62 after a made free throw by Fredrick. Vassar's Jackie Cenan was able to score with six seconds left after initially missing her first attempt and grabbing her own rebound to tie the game 64-64, sending it to overtime. 

Along with the big 3-pointer at the end of the game, Watkiss had a season-high 12 points along with five assists and six rebounds.



Cenan led Vassar with 19 points and eight rebounds.

"Both teams played well, each made critical plays time and time again," said Roiger. "We happened to make one more when Dylan knocked down the three from the corner, and then it became a free throw game, and Erin Kumler and Ava made the most of it. We had a chance to win it from the line in regulation and didn't get it done, but we did in overtime. Vassar is a really good team with some excellent players. That was one of the very best games I've ever coached. That was fun."

With the win, St. Lawrence moved to 14-5, 10-2 Liberty League, extending their win streak to eight, while Vassar fell to 13-6, 9-3.

The Saints' will travel to Geneva to play William Smith on Friday, February 7 at 5:30 p.m.