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Clarkson University Athletics

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Women's Basketball January 7, 2015

CU Women's Basketball Preview - at William Smith/RIT (1/9-10)

Senior Cara Manfredi leads the Liberty League in 3-pointers made (25) and 3-point field goal percentage (42.4%) - photo by Gary Mikel
Enjoying its best non-league start in more than a decade, the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team looks to bring that momentum into the conference portion of the schedule this weekend when the team travels to play William Smith College and RIT.

The Golden Knights, 7-2 overall, look to earn their first spot in the conference post-season tournament since the Liberty League was renamed from the UCAA back in the 2004-05 season. Clarkson is among the conference leaders on offense so far, ranking first in scoring (74.6 ppg), second in field goal percentage (43.8%), first in 3-point field goal percentage (35.9%), second in turnover-margin (+2.44), and first in assists (17.0 apg). The Golden Knights are led by Ashley Loggins (Albany, NY), who has the top figures in scoring (20.4 ppg) and steals (3.6 spg) in the league so far. The junior forward is just 40 points shy of 1000 for her career through just 57 games, putting her well within striking distance of reaching the figure in 60 games or less, which would make her the first Clarkson player to achieve such a quick rise to four digits. Loggins also ranks fourth in the league in rebounding (10.7 rpg) and sixth in field goal percentage (44.8%).



Senior guard Cara Manfredi (Glastonbury, CT) is eighth in the league in scoring at 14.2 ppg and leads the conference in 3-pointers made (25) and 3-point field goal percentage (42.4%) while sophomore guard Stephanie Grobe (White River Junctino, NY) has been solid in several categories as well, averaging 11.3 points and 3.0 assists per game while ranking third in the conference in field goal percentage (47.5%). 

First up for Clarkson this weekend is traditional power William Smith. The Herons have struggled out of the gate with a record of just 1-7, but the team is probably the best 1-7 program in the country, considering that five of their losses came to teams that were ranked in the top 30 in the country in the final poll of 2014. William Smith's opponents up to this point have a combined record of 61-17, including unbeaten NYU and defending national champion and current number-one team FDU-Florham. The Herons rank either last or second to last in the conference in scoring, scoring defense, field goal defense, 3-point field goal percentage and turnover margin, but the numbers are certainly skewed thanks to their top-notch competition. Gabrielle Eure leads the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game and she also paces the conference in field goal percentage (64.1%), while Chloe Hayter ranks fifth in the league in rebounding (9.6 rpg). Clarkson is just 12-45 all-time against the Herons, but the two teams split in 2013-14 with each winning by double figures on their home court. 

The Golden Knights are better off against Saturday's opponent, owning an all-time record of 20-11 against the Tigers, but having lost eight straight, including six since RIT joined the conference in 2011-12. The Tigers enter the game with a record of 6-5, and that mark has been helped by some lackluster free throw shooting by their opponents (60.2% from the line), though the Tigers defense has been a key thus far in forcing more than five turnovers than they commit per game thanks to a league-best 11.7 steals per game. Ashlynn Palmitesso leads the team in scoring at 15.7 points per game and is shooting 42.6% from the floor overall, including 36.5% from beyond the 3-point arc. Merissa Maiorano is also chipping in 10.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for the Tigers. 
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Players Mentioned

Stephanie Grobe

#21 Stephanie Grobe

G
5' 10"
Sophomore
Ashley Loggins

#11 Ashley Loggins

F
5' 10"
Junior
Cara Manfredi

#13 Cara Manfredi

G
5' 6"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Stephanie Grobe

#21 Stephanie Grobe

5' 10"
Sophomore
G
Ashley Loggins

#11 Ashley Loggins

5' 10"
Junior
F
Cara Manfredi

#13 Cara Manfredi

5' 6"
Senior
G