Women's Basketball stays hot in Liberty League action
Dan Greene
Issue date: 1/28/10 Section: Sports
The winning streak continued for the Lady Dutch this weekend. First, the Dutchwomen avenged their Liberty League Tournament loss to St. Lawrence last year, which stripped us of our NCAA bid, with a double digit victory on Friday against the Saints. The Lady Dutch then battled through fatigue and the loss of Lauren McCormick to a head injury on Saturday to defeat the Clarkson Golden Knights to extend the winning streak to four in a row in the Liberty League.
The St. Lawrence Saints are always a tough opponent, just like all teams in the Liberty League. But, because payback was on the line, Friday's game meant more than the usual League contest. The tension in the gym was tangible as the game commenced. The Dutchwomen were the first to score setting the pace for the game; however the Saints would not go down without a fight. This game was a physical battle, and not the prettiest games to watch, but the determination and excitement Union played with earned the Dutchwomen a perpetual lead throughout the entire game culminating in a victory.
Union was lead by Lauren McCormick, Meg Clark, and Leah Pepe. Lauren had her fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Meg also had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds for her third for the season. Leah contributed 15 points and two steals to the victory over the Saints. This victory meant more than just advancing in the Liberty League this year, it was about making a statement that Union is here and a presence in the League despite what our record may say or despite the loss we suffered last year. Friday's game was not the only statement Union had to make this weekend however. The Lady Dutch had to once again take the court on Saturday after a tough win to defend our home court and continue the winning streak.
Saturday's game was also a challenge for Union because one of the driving forces in the post, Lauren McCormick, was out with a head injury suffered in the game against St. Lawrence the night before. However, this loss did not devastate the team. Union rallied and with three other post presences in Lauren Hennessey, Rachel Beaulac, and Allie Sirrine, who stepped up and took on the challenge, Union earned one final victory in the last game of the four-game home stand. The Golden Knights of Clarkson are an improved team from last season and battled Union for the entire 40 minutes of play. The Dutchwomen were again the first to score on a drive to the basket by Rachel Titcomb; however this lead would not last as Clarkson battled and earned their own lead. This lead was passed back and forth between the two teams for the remainder of the half; however, Clarkson ended the half ahead of Union.
In the beginning of the second half, the battle for the lead commenced once again with the teams trading baskets and stops. However, the Dutchwomen soon regained the lead and would hang on to it for the remainder of the game. Leah Pepe once again came up big with a career-high 24 points to help lead Union to the victory. Lindsay Hage also had 16 points and six assists. This victory advanced Union to 4-1 in the Liberty League and 6-9 overall. The Dutchwomen return to Liberty League play on Friday, January 29 at RPI. This is yet another emotionally charged game as RPI remains undefeated in the League and it will be the first game Union will play away from the Viniar Athletic Center and home crowd. It is also a game against a rival, which makes the game that much more important.
The St. Lawrence Saints are always a tough opponent, just like all teams in the Liberty League. But, because payback was on the line, Friday's game meant more than the usual League contest. The tension in the gym was tangible as the game commenced. The Dutchwomen were the first to score setting the pace for the game; however the Saints would not go down without a fight. This game was a physical battle, and not the prettiest games to watch, but the determination and excitement Union played with earned the Dutchwomen a perpetual lead throughout the entire game culminating in a victory.
Union was lead by Lauren McCormick, Meg Clark, and Leah Pepe. Lauren had her fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 17 rebounds. Meg also had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds for her third for the season. Leah contributed 15 points and two steals to the victory over the Saints. This victory meant more than just advancing in the Liberty League this year, it was about making a statement that Union is here and a presence in the League despite what our record may say or despite the loss we suffered last year. Friday's game was not the only statement Union had to make this weekend however. The Lady Dutch had to once again take the court on Saturday after a tough win to defend our home court and continue the winning streak.
Saturday's game was also a challenge for Union because one of the driving forces in the post, Lauren McCormick, was out with a head injury suffered in the game against St. Lawrence the night before. However, this loss did not devastate the team. Union rallied and with three other post presences in Lauren Hennessey, Rachel Beaulac, and Allie Sirrine, who stepped up and took on the challenge, Union earned one final victory in the last game of the four-game home stand. The Golden Knights of Clarkson are an improved team from last season and battled Union for the entire 40 minutes of play. The Dutchwomen were again the first to score on a drive to the basket by Rachel Titcomb; however this lead would not last as Clarkson battled and earned their own lead. This lead was passed back and forth between the two teams for the remainder of the half; however, Clarkson ended the half ahead of Union.
In the beginning of the second half, the battle for the lead commenced once again with the teams trading baskets and stops. However, the Dutchwomen soon regained the lead and would hang on to it for the remainder of the game. Leah Pepe once again came up big with a career-high 24 points to help lead Union to the victory. Lindsay Hage also had 16 points and six assists. This victory advanced Union to 4-1 in the Liberty League and 6-9 overall. The Dutchwomen return to Liberty League play on Friday, January 29 at RPI. This is yet another emotionally charged game as RPI remains undefeated in the League and it will be the first game Union will play away from the Viniar Athletic Center and home crowd. It is also a game against a rival, which makes the game that much more important.
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