CU Women's Basketball Preview - vs. RIT/William Smith (1/30-31)

If the season were to end prior to this weekend's games, the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team would earn a Liberty League post-season nod as one of the top four teams in the conference, but the Golden Knights are just at the halfway point in the conference season and will look to close out the final stretch of the regular season strong with five home games in the next few weeks.

The Golden Knights enter this weekend with a record of 12-5 overall and 5-3 in the Liberty League, good enough for fourth in the conference and a game-and-a-half lead over the fifth place team. Clarkson will face RIT (8-9, 2-6) on Friday and William Smith (3-12, 2-5) on Saturday. Clarkson narrowly beat both teams on the road the first time around, gaining a 69-65 win over William Smith, and needing overtime to defeat RIT 79-73.

Despite a rough Tuesday night game against St. Lawrence where the Knights struggled at 25.0% from the field, Clarkson still owns the top scoring offense (72.5 points per game) in the conference and also ranks first in field goal percentage (40.9%), 3-point field goal percentage (32.7%) and turnover margin (+4.0 tpg). Clarkson's offense is led by junior Ashley Loggins and senior Cara Manfredi, who rank second and third in the league in scoring with 16.8 ppg, though Loggins has produced one more point than Manfredi so far. Loggins also ranks second in the league with a 43.9% rate from the field, while Manfredi has made more 3-pointers (50) than any other player in the league, and a few more than some teams. Manfredi scored 32 in the last time out against RIT, making six 3-pointers as a depleted Clarkson team struggled with foul trouble.

RIT ranks in the middle of the pack in the league in scoring (64.8 ppg), but has picked up wins with a positive turnover ratio (+3.47 tpg, second in the league) and a solid effort on defense (10.4 spg). Ashlynn Palmitesso leads the team in scoring at 14.3 points per contest, but it was Merissa Maiorano (10.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg) who had the best game against the Knights in early January with 15 points and seven rebounds. Jessi Glaz also averages nearly 10 points per game.

William Smith has played one of the toughest schedules in the region, creating a tough time on defense (70.0 ppg, ninth in the league; -7.8 turnover margin). The majority of the Herons scoring (74.9%) comes from four players averaging double figures and ranking in the top 20 in the conference. Chloe Hayter is averaging a double-double with 13.3 ppg and 10.3 rpg and she produced one of those efforts versus Clarkson the first time around with 23 points and 10 boards. Gabrielle Eure has also posted six double-doubles and is averaging 12.1 ppg and 8.6 rpg. Melanie Patterson also had a solid game against the Knights in early January with 16 points and she is averaging 10.9 points and 3.1 assists per contest. Likewise, Ali Pliszka is producing 10.3 points and 3.3 assists per game.

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Players Mentioned

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

#13 Cara Manfredi: G; 5' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

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

#13 Cara Manfredi
: 5' 6"; Senior
: G

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#11 Ashley Loggins

#13 Cara Manfredi

Players Mentioned

#11 Ashley Loggins

#13 Cara Manfredi