CANTON, N.Y. - Norah Niesz posted her highest career playoff point total with 16, leading to the No. 4 seed St. Lawrence University women's basketball team to its first postseason victory since 2022 with a 10-point win against No. 5 seed Vassar, 66-56.
With the win, the Saints now travel to Union to play the top-seeded Garnet Chargers on Friday night, with a trip to the Liberty League title game on the line.
The game began with several lead changes, which started with Vassar jumping out to an early lead behind, but St. Lawrence found its rhythm late in the period. A clutch three-pointer by Hannah Van Dyke in the final minute of the quarter gave the Saints a narrow 16-14 advantage.
While Vassar's Lindsey Shoulders provided a brief spark for the Brewers with an early five-point run in the second quarter, the Saints' efficient shooting and Jackie Malley's timely scoring blew the game open. St. Lawrence capitalized on Vassar turnovers to head into halftime with a comfortable 36-25 lead, shooting 6-for-11 (.545) in the quarter.
Both offenses found more consistency in the third, trading baskets for much of the period. Vassar attempted to chip away at its deficit by emphasizing their inside game and outscoring the Saints in the paint, however, Niesz and Elizabeth Flynn kept St. Lawrence steady, maintaining a double-digit 51-39 lead entering the final stretch.
Vassar put together a late 14-12 run in a final attempt to close the gap, led by the scoring of Sierra McDermed. St. Lawrence remained composed, sealing the victory by executing at the free-throw line during the closing minutes.
Niesz added a game-high six assists to her scoring total, and Elizabeth Flynn cleaned up on the glass with a team-high eight boards. Flynn and Mason Baker-Baker-Schlendering paced the team with three steals apiece. Baker-Schlendering also posted two blocks.