Top 10 Clarkson Highlights - #3 Knights' Women's Hoopsters Return to NCAA Tournament

For whatever reason, the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team was uncomfortable blowing teams out in 2015-16, so much so that it practically became a joke with the coaching staff. The team possessed the talent to do so, but most of the time it was content to do enough to win. And win they did.

The Golden Knights put together a 14-game winning streak, including 12 during conference play, to claim the Liberty League regular-season title. After a come-from-behind win in the Liberty League Semifinals against St. Lawrence (63-54), the Knights dominated the first half against RIT in the championship game, putting up 48 points in 20 minutes and taking a 20-point advantage into the locker room at the break.

But head coach Maureen Webster knew better than to celebrate early.

RIT scored 25 points in the third quarter and was back within six with the fourth quarter yet to be played. Junior Stephanie Grobe buried a jumper with 9:27 remaining in the game, but Clarkson would be held without a field goal for the next nine minutes as RIT came back to tie the game at 63-63 with 1:09 to go. However, the Tigers would not get a chance to take another shot.

In the final minute, Clarkson missed two shots but got a steal and an offensive rebound to continue its chance at the game winner. A timeout allowed Webster to draw up the final play and there was really only one choice.

Senior Ashley Loggins got possession of the ball at the top of the key, went away from a screen and drove to the basket, scoring the game-winning basket on a little layup/runner with 2.3 seconds to go, sending Alumni Gymnasium into a frenzy as Clarkson advanced to its first NCAA Tournament since 1989.

Loggins was the obvious choice as she had been for four seasons. The program's all-time leading scorer had seen the worst of times turn into the best of times. As a freshman, she endured a 20-loss season with just four wins, yet was picked as the Liberty League Co-Rookie of the Year. Three years later, she was picked as the conference's Co-Player of the Year and the team won 22 times in 28 contests. Her ability to make shots from the perimeter and get to the basket with a variety of moves made her a match up problem for opponents.

Fortunately for Clarkson, no one in the conference was able to solve Loggins all season long.

2015-16 Clarkson University Athletic Highlights TOP 10 List

The Top 10 Clarkson University Athletic Department Highlights of 2015-16 were carefully selected by the Clarkson Sports Information Staff. Top 10 Clarkson highlights will be posted on Mondays throughout the summer.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Stephanie Grobe: G; 5' 10"; Junior

#11 Ashley Loggins: F; 5' 10"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#21 Stephanie Grobe
: 5' 10"; Junior
: G

#11 Ashley Loggins
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#21 Stephanie Grobe

#11 Ashley Loggins

Players Mentioned

#21 Stephanie Grobe

#11 Ashley Loggins