Knights Hold On For 56-53 Win Over Vassar; Henson Sets Block Mark

January 20, 2007

Mickala Henson recorded 9 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in the win over Vassar - photo by Chris Lenney.

Potsdam, NY – Senior Vanessa Westcott (Parish, NY) made a pair of free throws in the final minute which proved to be the game-winners as the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team held on for a 56-53 Liberty League victory Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights ended a four-game losing streak with the win, improving to 5-11 overall and 1-4 in conference, while Vassar fell to 6-8 and 1-4.

For the first time in league play, the Golden Knights were able to jump out of the gate to a sizable lead instead of playing early catch up. With a three-point advantage, 13-10, at the 12:20 mark, the Knights went on a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to extend their lead to 27-12. Vassar responded with a 9-0 run to cut the Clarkson edge to just six points, but a quick five-point burst returned the Knights to their double-digit advantage. Vassar converted a pair of field goal attempts late in the half and went into the locker room trailing, 32-25.

Despite their size advantage in the post, the Brewers only out rebounded Clarkson 21-17 and came up with just four second offensive chances. Clarkson took advantage of its speed and forced 13 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, while turning the ball over themselves just five times. Chelsea Katzenberg led all scorers with eight points, converting four banked jump shots from the sides of the paint.

Within the first minute of the second half, the Brewers climbed back into the game and, though Clarkson held at least a three-point advantage through the first 18 minutes of the half, Vassar always stayed within striking distance as the teams traded mini-runs. Trailing by nine points with four minutes remaining, the Brewers produced a 7-0 run with a field goal and five free throws over a period of just two minutes to cut the lead to two points. Clarkson could have put the game away, but until Vanessa Westcott buried two free throws in the final minute, the Knights struggled from the line, making only six of the 14 attempts. Vassar came back to within two and had a chance to tie the game on two occasions in the final 28 seconds, but both shots were errant and found their way out of bounds in possession of the Knights.

Westcott scored 12 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and made 4 steals to lead the Knights, while Mickala Henson (Waverly, NY) added 9 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. Her third block of the game allowed her to become the Clarkson all-time leader in blocked shots with 124.

Chelsea Katzenberg closed with a game-high 15 points for Vassar while Rachel Cerlen contributed a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

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