The St. Lawrence University women's basketball team received double-figure performances from both Norah Niesz and Elizabeth Flynn, as they weathered a 25-point Sierra McDermed outing to down Vassar 68-59 at Burkman Gymnasium on Friday.

It was a strong result for the Scarlet and Brown, who now sit 12-6 overall and 7-4 in the conference, only half a game behind Vassar for fourth place in the conference as the team ventures through the back half of its conference schedule.

Flynn's outing marked her return to the floor after battling an injury for the better part of the season. She had 16 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double in her first game since November 22.

"This was an outstanding performance today against a very good team," said Saints head coach Dan Roiger. "We had many big plays throughout the game, and it was by nearly every player at some point. I loved our finish where we moved the ball all around the court for Izzy's big three with a minute left, and then Jackie on the next possession scouted things out, came off her player and got the big steal. This was a good team, and we knew we had to play better defense than we have. I loved our intensity and we worked hard both physically and mentally."

St. Lawrence's start put them in a great position to carry the bulk of the game, stringing together a 12-0 run right off the hop to go up big. Niesz and Jackie Malley hit triples, while Flynn and Hannah Van Dyke dropped field goals in the run. The Brewers shaved down the Saints' lead late in the quarter and entered the first break down five at 15-10.

A quick Vassar start brought them within one off an Erin Lovett layup at the five-minute mark of the second quarter, but Van Dyke responded with a driving layup 45 seconds later to gain slightly more separation. The teams played within five points between then and the end of the quarter, with the Saints clinging to a four-point lead at the break.

St. Lawrence used the foul line to keep their lead early in the third, with Malley and Niesz both sinking two free throws in the quarter's opening three minutes to counter two Vassar field goals. Niesz then drew a foul and connected twice from the charity stripe to pull the Saints up by six at 7:48. St. Lawrence continued to keep their lead at the break, leading 46-44 heading to the fourth.

Vassar started the game's final quarter by breaking through and taking the lead for the first time in the game. It came on an Ava Gurley layup in the paint, after McDermed found her in the key. But the Saints didn't fold – they responded with an 8-0 run off points by Niesz, Flynn and first-year Stevie Bannon. 62 per cent fourth-quarter shooting helped St. Lawrence keep their lead into the game's late stages.



Later on, with under two minutes left and the score at 61-58, Izzy Caron drilled a three-ball to put St. Lawrence up by six, essentially sealing the victory for the home side. They coasted from there and walked off the floor with a win over a top-four conference opponent.

Aside from Niesz and Flynn, multiple Saints were close to double figures. Malley posted nine points, while Van Dyke, Caron, and Bannon added eight. Flynn added three steals to her 11 boards. Van Dyke was also active on the glass, posting nine rebounds and narrowly missing the double-double. Mason Baker-Schlendering had six rebounds of her own in the outing.

St. Lawrence has a quick turnaround before tipoff at 2 p.m. Saturday, as they welcome Bard to Burkman Gymnasium for their final contest of January.