Knights Open Season with 59-51 Victory Over Morrisville

Head coach John Hampton picks up first career victory

Lauren Pluchino surpassed the 500-career point mark in Monday's win over Morrisville. - Photo by Gary Mikel

Potsdam, NY – Thanks to 15 points from Lauren Pluchino (Liverpool, NY) and a near double-double from Carey Turner (Clifton Park, NY), the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team claimed its first win of the season, and the first of head coach John Hampton’s career, as the Golden Knights downed Morrisville State 59-51 Monday evening at Alumni Gymnasium.

Clarkson, now 1-0, will compete in the Colby-Sawyer Tournament this weekend in New Hampshire. Morrisville fell to 0-1 on the young season.

Both teams struggled from the field, as opening-night nerves were evident. Morrisville shot only 11-for-33 from the field, going scoreless from beyond the 3-point arc in seven chances. The Mustangs, however, held an advantage in field-goal percentage as Clarkson had even more troubles, going just 7-for-33 (21.2%) from the floor. Helping Clarkson’s cause, though, were 11 offensive rebounds, giving them plenty of second and third chances at the basket.

Eight different players scored at least two points for Clarkson in the first half, led by Carey Turner’s six points and seven rebounds. Senior Sierra Noles (Averill Park, NY) also added in seven rebounds. For Morrisville, Nijee Scott produced eight points and five rebounds, while Unique Williams led the squad with eight rebounds.

The second half had superior fluidity, as both teams were able to find themselves offensively. Clarkson began the half with 11 straight points, taking a double-digit lead, before Morrisville was able to get on the board with 14:25 remaining. The Knights held an eight-point advantage (44-36) less than nine minutes remaining in the half, but Morrisville made a run of its own, going on a 10-2 run over the next three minutes to tie the score at 46-46. That comeback was halted, however, by a Lauren Pluchino lay up with five minutes to go, and Clarkson ended the contest with a 13-5 run thanks to a 7-for-8 performance from the free throw line in the final moments.

Pluchino had 15 points, shooting 7-for-8 from the free throw line, to go along with six rebounds and three assists. Turner finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, and Noles added seven points, 11 boards, and three steals.

The Mustangs had three players finish in double figures, led by Nijee Scott with 17 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. Nijah Townsend added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Unique Williams recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards.

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