Potsdam, N.Y. – The Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team faced a tough loss against RIT, falling 68-53. The game turned in the second quarter when Clarkson could only manage six points, leading to a widening gap that proved too challenging to close.
With this defeat, Clarkson’s record stands at 7-9 overall and 3-5 in the Liberty League. They’ll look to bounce back on Tuesday against St. Lawrence University.
The first quarter started strong for both teams, with Clarkson briefly holding a lead. A 10-9 edge came from Erin DiPaola’s free throws, but RIT quickly countered, taking the lead with a three-pointer by Hannah Durand. The first quarter ended with Clarkson trailing by just two points, 19-17.
However, the second quarter belonged to RIT. The Tigers charged ahead, scoring 11 unanswered points and leaving Clarkson struggling to keep up. Polky managed to score for Clarkson later in the quarter, but the Tigers went into halftime with a comfortable 36-23 lead.
In the third quarter, Clarkson attempted to regroup. A three-pointer from Bella Doyle cut the deficit to 12 points. Yet, RIT answered with a series of baskets that pushed their lead back to 20 points. Despite a late effort by Clarkson to narrow the gap, RIT held strong.
The Tigers maintained their shooting accuracy, finishing the game with 48% from the field and an impressive 58% from three-point range. Clarkson, on the other hand, fought hard but struggled with a shooting percentage that dipped to around 30% during the second and third quarters.
Key players for Clarkson included Griffin, Kea, and Doyle, who scored 14, 14, and 10 points respectively. Polky led an effort on the boards with five rebounds. RIT’s standout player was Caroline Henderson, scoring 14 points, with Maddy Ramsgard close behind at 13 points.
Performance statistics show that RIT excelled in many areas, including assists, where they totaled 17 compared to Clarkson’s lower output. This disconnect highlights the importance of teamwork and execution in a successful game, something Clarkson will certainly need to address moving forward.
As they prepare for their next game, Clarkson hopes to learn from this experience and improve their performance. Social media users have shown mixed reactions to the game, with fans expressing disappointment but also support, urging the team to stay positive and focus on their upcoming match.
For detailed stats and updates, you can find more information on NCAA Women’s Basketball.
