(Buffalo, NY) – The 20th ranked Medaille College women's basketball team returned to action this afternoon as William Smith College came to the Sullivan Center for a non-conference tilt. The Lady Mavs fought off a feisty comeback effort and shot the ball well en route to a (79-72) victory.
Medaille came out of the gate hot, storming to a (24-9) lead before William Smith was able to work through the press and get back into the game, trimming the lead to six with (6:18) remaining in the opening half. The Lady Mavs would find their touch again as they extended the gap to 12 points at the half.
The second was one that saw many peaks and valleys for each team as Medaille gathered their largest edge of 18 points midway through the second stanza. They were able to hold the Herons at arm's length until the closing two minutes when a stifling William Smith press forced the Lady Mavs into turnovers which they were able to convert into points, trimming the lead to six with (1:28) remaining.
A crucial offensive rebound with (00:24) left on the clock by Mame Yaa Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, ONT/D'youville) cemented the victory for Medaille along with their ability to knock down free throws in the games waning seconds.
Freshman Bianca Smiley (Tonawanda, NY/Sweet Home) led all scorers with (23) points on (10 of 15) shooting from the field. Junior forward Tanisha Travis (Fairport, NY/Fairport) tallied (17) points while pulling down a team high (7) boards.
The Lady Mavs backcourt did a great job distributing the basketball as freshman Joelle Pollak (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore East) dished out a career high (8) assists and senior Kacie Mills (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore East) followed closely behind with (7) helpers of her own.
The win is Medaille's sixth straight and they remain unbeaten on their home floor in four games. The Lady Mavs are now (8-1) on the season and they will host perennial national power St. John Fisher College on Sunday (1/2) at 5:00pm in the Sullivan Center.