With three teams having somewhat separated themselves from the pack there are five teams left vying for the final Liberty League playoff spot. A strong weekend by the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team would go a long way in helping the Golden Knights in that race, but their opponents, Rensselaer and Union, are also looking to gain entrance to the conference post-season.
The Golden Knights enter the weekend with a record of 8-9 overall and 3-6 in the Liberty League after a loss to Skidmore on Tuesday. Rensselaer (5-14, 3-7) and Union (11-5, 3-4) both defeated Clarkson in the early going of the Liberty League slate, but the Golden Knights have proven to be more formidable at home which should lead to a pair of tight games at Alumni Gymnasium.
Rensselaer, Friday's opponent, ranks last in the conference in scoring defense (69.5 ppg) and rebounding margin (-6.9 rpg), but make up for it with a pair of strong scorers in Ashley Clough and Amanda Lynch. Clough is third in the league in scoring at 16.1 ppg and also ranks 10th in rebounding at 7.4 rpg, while Lynch is 11th in the league in scoring (13.3 ppg) and 13th in rebounding (7.1). Lynch is also fifth in the conference in field goal percentage (45.5%). Clarkson sophomore Ashley Loggins (Albany, NY) will be a player to watch on Friday as she has enjoyed great personal success against the Engineers, averaging 24.0 poings and 14.3 rebounds per game in three meetings, with each resulting in a double-double.
The first meeting between Union and Clarkson resulted in a nine-point victory for the Dutchwomen, 60-51, their first win in the conference up to that point. The Dutchwomen have won three of their last four games in league play thanks to a diverse offense. Kate Thompson is the team's leading scorer, but averages just 10.6 ppg which sneaks just inside the top 20 in the league. Amy Loya also kicks in more than nine points per game and Kelsey McDonald is second in the league in assists at 4.4 per contest.
