Skidmore College's Megan Gaugler '12 scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half, and the Thoroughbreds rallied late for a 63-61 win against Hamilton College in a Liberty League game at Hamilton's Margaret Bundy Scott Field House on Jan. 15.
The Thoroughbreds (6-7 overall , 2-1 Liberty) trailed 61-55 with 90 seconds left when Hamilton's Madie Harlem '13 made a layup. Two free throws by Gaugler and a 3-point play by Christina Gargiso '12 pulled Skidmore within 61-60 with 42 seconds left.
Gargiso then forced a turnover, and Jordyn Wartts '14 found Gaugler open on the right wing for a 3-pointer and a 63-61 lead with 13 seconds remaining. The lead was the first for the Thoroughbreds since 47-46 midway through the second half. The Continentals still had a chance to at least force overtime, but Gaugler stole the ball near midcourt, and Skidmore dribbled out the final seconds.
The Thoroughbreds opened the first half with an 11-5 run that included a 3-pointer by Michela Ottati ‘14. Skidmore led the entire first half, including 33-23 with 1:57 left. Jessie Kavana '12 came off the bench to drain three 3-pointers and scored all 11 of her points in the first half for the Thoroughbreds. Hamilton cut its deficit to 33-28 at the break thanks to a 3-point play by Harlem and a layup by Lisa Olszewski '11.
Skidmore pushed its lead back up to eight points at 45-37 with 14:30 remaining. But the Continentals came back with a 14-2 run for a 51-47 advantage. A 3-pointer by Harlem gave Hamilton its first lead of the afternoon at 46-45 with 10:30 left.
After a Gargiso layup put the Thoroughbreds back in front by one, Harlem hit another 3-pointer at 9:36 to put the Continentals up 49-47. Eliza Howe '13 completed the run with a jumper with nine minutes remaining. Hamilton remained in the lead until Gaugler's game-winning 3-pointer.
Harlem led Hamilton with a game-high 22 points, including three 3-pointers, and brought down a team-high eight rebounds. Blue Sanders ‘13 recorded four assists and Howe added nine points.
Gaugler ended up 7-for-7 at the free-throw line with four assists and two steals. Ottati chipped in 11 points, and Ismatu Alison-Konteh ’11 had eight rebounds and eight points. Christine Kemp '11 handed out a game-high five assists with just one turnover. Skidmore made more free throws (16) than the Continentals attempted (12).
The Continentals return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 18, for a non-league game at Middlebury College. Skidmore plays another league game at Clarkson on Friday, Jan. 21.
