Norah Niesz posted her highest career playoff point total with 16, leading to the No. 4 seed St. Lawrence University women's basketball team's first playoff victory since 2022. They downed No. 5 seed Vassar in a 10-point win, 66-56, in front of a big playoff crowd of 422 at Burkman Gymnasium.
With the win, the Saints now travel to Union to play the No. 1 seed Garnet Chargers Friday night, with a berth in the Liberty League championship game on the line.
The game began with several lead changes. Vassar jumped out to an early lead behind Maureen Regan, but St. Lawrence found their rhythm late in the period. A clutch three-pointer by
Hannah Van Dyke in the final minute gave the Saints a narrow 16-14 advantage.
While Vassar's Lindsey Shoulders provided a brief spark, as the Brewers enjoyed an early five-point run in the second to take a brief lead, but the Saints' efficient shooting and
Jackie Malley's timely scoring blew the game open. St. Lawrence capitalized on Vassar turnovers to head into halftime with a comfortable 36-25 lead, shooting 6-11 in the quarter.
Both offenses found more consistency in the third, trading baskets for much of the period. Vassar attempted to chip away at the deficit by emphasizing their inside game, outscoring the Saints in the paint. However, Niesz and
Elizabeth Flynn kept St. Lawrence steady, maintaining a double-digit 51–39 lead entering the final stretch.
Vassar put together a late 14–12 run in a final attempt to close the gap, led by the scoring of Sierra McDermed. St. Lawrence remained composed, sealing the victory by executing at the free-throw line during the closing minutes.
Niesz added a game-high six assists to her scoring total, and
Elizabeth Flynn cleaned up on the glass with eight boards for a team-high mark. Flynn also added three steals, tied with
Mason Baker-Schlendering with the team lead in that category. Baker-Schlendering also added two blocks.
St. Lawrence will now engage Union for the second time in a week on Friday, February 27, with game time set for 5:30 p.m. in Schenectady.
