CU Women's Basketball Preview - at Williams Tournament (12/4-5)

For the first time in five years the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team is off to a 4-1 start in its non-league slate and the Golden Knights will look to push that mark to 6-1 (the best since 2002-03) when they face a pair of NESCAC teams at the Williams College Tournament this weekend.

The Golden Knights will take on Bates College on Friday evening and will then face the host Williams College on Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats have begun the season 0-4, while the Ephs are off to a 4-0 start and will face Pine Manor on Friday prior to playing Clarkson.

The Green and Gold have ridden the skill of their starters so far as four of the team's five starters average more than 32 minutes per game. However, those players have put up enviable numbers in the early going. Senior Ashley Loggins, who ranks in the top 20 among all active players in scoring average, rebounding avererage, steals average and double-doubles as well as points, rebounds and steals, currently is third in the country in steals with 5.8 per game, more than twice the aveage of any other player in the Liberty League. While her defensive acumen has gone up, her steady scoring and rebounding numbers continue with 16.0 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, which includes five double-doubles to open the year. Sophomore guard Devin Sorell has upped her scoring anty this year and is averaging 16.8 points per contest through five games, which is third in the conference, and her 12 3-pointers is the most in the league so far. Junior guard Stephanei Grobe continues to contribute all-around performances with 9.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game, and sophomore guard Madison Shea is producing similar numbers with 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game. The team's fifth starter, junior forward Alyssia Marsal, is also kicking in 5.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Defensively, the Golden Knights rank in the top 15 in the country in steals per game (15.8 spg).

Bates is off to an 0-4 start, with three single-digit losses and one blowout that has their margin of defeat at a misleading 19.3 points per game. Nina Davenport leads the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game, while she is also contributing 4.8 rebounds per game. Allie Coppola is close to averaging a double-double with 9.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and Bernadette Peters is tossing in 9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and a team-leading 3.3 assists per contest.

Williams has winning margin of 11.75 points per contest and is allowing fewer than 50 points per game so far. Devon Caveney leads the team with 16.3 points per game while also grabbing 4.5 rebounds per game and making 2.8 steals per game. Amanni Fernandez averages 11.3 points per game and a team-best 3.0 assists per contest, while Oge Uwanaka is a force inside with 10.3 rebounds per game. Uwanaka also scores 6.5 points per game and is making just over two steals per contest.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Ashley Loggins: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#22 Alyssia Marsal: F; 5' 10"; Junior

#10 Madison Shea: G; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#24 Devin Sorell: G; 5' 3"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#11 Ashley Loggins
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

#22 Alyssia Marsal
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F

#10 Madison Shea
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: G

#24 Devin Sorell
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: G