CANTON, N.Y.—Led by a career-high scoring performance by junior forward Kristen Kush, the William Smith basketball team posted an 81-76 overtime win at St. Lawrence, moving into a tie for first place in the Liberty League. Kush logged her sixth double-double of the season, producing 28 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

The Herons (13-10, 8-4) trailed by as many as seven in the second half, but ended regulation on a 10-4 run that forced OT. In fact, William Smith had a chance to win in regulation. Senior guard Mollie Danahy made a layup with 46 seconds remaining to make it a 1-point game, 67-66. The Saints (17-5, 8-4) missed a layup with 33 ticks left and Kush grabbed the carom.

With 10 seconds left, SLU fouled Kush putting her on the line. She made the first to tie the game and the Saints called timeout. The pause was enough of a distraction that Kush missed her second try. St. Lawrence got the rebounds and raced down the court, but missed a layup as time expired.

In overtime, William Smith never trailed, but never led by more than three points. The Saints took a hit, losing two of its top players in the first 76 seconds. Erica Spera (14 pts, 13 rebs) fouled out at the 4:18 mark and 34 seconds later Kelly Legg (9 pts, 6 rebs) joined her. Legg came into the game averaging a team-high 16.7 ppg.

At the 1 minute mark, SLU's Katie Abramski (6 pts) tied the game for the 10th and final time (the third time in OT) with a pair of free throws.

With 31 seconds left, Kush countered with a layup at the other end of the floor, putting William Smith in the lead for good. The Saints tried to claim the lead with a 3-pointer, but misfired. Sophomore guard Jaimie Rubin grabbed the rebound and was fouled. She made both freebies to complete her five-point, nine-assist performance.

St. Lawrence turned the ball over on its ensuing possession and was forced to foul again. First-year guard Jacqueline Murphy made the first of two free throws to complete the afternoon's scoring. She logged five points and nine rebounds.

All 10 Herons on the active roster scored in the contest. Danahy was the only other William Smith player to reach double digits, registering 14 points before she fouled out with 1:48 left in OT.

Katherine Edgerton led St. Lawrence with 19 points, while Casey Capello added 15 points and three blocked shots.

St. Lawrence posted better shooting percentages from the field (.403-.365) and the line (.826-.710), but the Herons held the advantage nearly everywhere else. William Smith made more 3-pointers (5-3), grabbed more boards (47-46), and committed fewer turnovers (9-17).

With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Herons are tied with the Saints and Union (13-7, 8-4) for first place. Skidmore (11-11, 7-5)  is one game back in fourth place, while Rensselaer (10-12, 6-5) and Vassar (12-10, 6-5) are tied for fifth place. The top four teams qualify for the league's championship tournament.

The Herons will return to the friendly confines of Bristol Gym next weekend to host RPI on Friday, Feb. 18, and Vassar on Saturday, Feb. 19.