Senior Olivia Middleton exploded for 32 points to lead the St. Lawrence University women's basketball team in a 68-57 win over the RIT Tigers on Saturday afternoon in Burkman Gymnasium.

Middleton went 11-19 from the floor, including 3-3 from deep, and 7-8 from the line, while also having five rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Cam Roberts was a menace on both ends of the court, scoring 10 points, grabbing four rebounds, and coming up with three steals.

After a slow offensive first half for both teams, who combined for just 14 second quarter points, Middleton scored 14 of the Saints' 23 third quarter points and with 10 minutes to play the hosts led 44-35.

In the final quarter the Tigers cut the lead to a one-possession game, but Middleton and Shannon Rhone answered with back-to-back shots from deep to extend the lead back to nine. The game would never be closer than seven for the rest of the afternoon, and the Saints won 68-57.


"Yesterday's game was all about shooting," said head coach Dan Roiger, "and today we couldn't make a bucket in the first half, but a lot of that was due to RIT's strong defense. We found a way in the second half, mostly due to Olivia, but we also moved the ball much better and cut down on our turnovers to get some point on the board. Olivia was amazing today, she is so good when she keeps it simple. Besides her, Cam Roberts played great in the second half, and really defended well while making five of seven shots. She played big minutes to help us out with losing a post player due to an injury and then having another in foul trouble. It was a good team win again. Not a thing of beauty, but a 'w' nonetheless."

Kaleesha Joseph led RIT with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double. Lila McGuiggan and Erin DiPaola also finished in double figures.

The Saints forced 19 turnovers, while only committing seven. Middleton, Caelan McHarney, and Hannah Van Dyke each had a pair, while Olivia Barringer had one, along with seven points, seven rebounds and a block.

With the three conference wins this week, the Saints improve to 12-7 on the season and 9-5 in the Liberty League. RIT fell to 6-14 overall and 4-9 in the conference.

The Saints next play on Tuesday, February 7th on the road at SUNY Poly at 5 p.m. for a final non-conference game.