CU Women's Basketball Preview - at Union/Ithaca (1/11-12)

The first of seven straight games on the road starts this weekend for the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team, as the Golden Knights will be challenged by two of the top teams in the Liberty League in Union College and Ithaca College.

Live Stats/Live Video – at Union
Live Stats/Live Video – at Ithaca

The Series vs. Union: The Golden Knights have won just 12 of the 52 all-time meetings against the Dutchwomen, but have come away with a victory in the last three contests. Clarkson nearly doubled up Union at home last year, 76-39, but the second contest was considerably closer, with the Knights holding on for a 47-44 win in Schenectady.

The Series vs. Ithaca: Last year's games against the Bombers were the first between the two teams in the 21st Century, with Ithaca gaining victories in both. Clarkson nearly pulled off the upset at home, falling 79-77 at Alumni Gym, but the game at Ithaca was not close as the Bombers won by 27.

Key Stats for Clarkson (5-6, 2-3 Liberty League): Junior Molly Stewart posted back-to-back 20-point efforts last week versus D'Youville and Vassar, hitting 13 of her 26 3-point field goal attempts, the most by any Golden Knight in a two-game stretch. Overall, Stewart is averaging 14.5 points per game. Carly Assimon has enjoyed eight games where she has made three 3-pointers or more and is second on the team with 11.4 points per contest. Clarkson has committed the fewest turnovers in the Liberty League, averaging just 12.4 per game.

Key Stats for Union (7-3, 2-2 Liberty League): Senior Nicole Conley has taken a considerable step forward this year, averaging 17.2 points (third in the Liberty League), 9.9 rebounds (third), 2.3 steals (second) and 3.3 blocks (first) per game. Besides Conley, the Dutchwomen are very balanced, with three starters averaging fewer than five points per game. Union's defense ranks first in the league in field goal defense, allowing opponents to shoot only 31.4% from the floor. The Dutchwomen's success often relies on the free throw line, as Union has averaged 19 free throws in its wins but only 5.7 free throws per game in its losses.

Key Stats for Ithaca (9-3, 4-1 Liberty League): The Bombers like to put pressure on opponents throughout, forcing 254 turnovers (21.2 tpg) with a league-high 143 steals. Ithaca also averages 73.2 points per game, the most in the conference, with a margin of victory averaging 17.3 points per contest. Cassidy O'Malley leads the team with 15.7 points per game while Annie Giannone (10.3 ppg), Grace Cannon (9.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and KellyAnne O'Reilly (8.8 ppg) also contribute to the offense. Ithaca ranks second in both field goal percentage (43.0%) and free throw percentage (72.9%) in the conference.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Carly Assimon: G; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#1 Molly Stewart: G; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#11 Carly Assimon
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: G

#1 Molly Stewart
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#11 Carly Assimon

#1 Molly Stewart

Players Mentioned

#11 Carly Assimon

#1 Molly Stewart