Potsdam, NY – Maria Thannhauser completed a 9-for-9 effort with a pair of makes in the final seconds to clinch a 56-52 victory for Elmira College over the Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team Friday night at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights saw their record evened at 3-3 overall, and the team returns to action on December 13th when they travel to play Medaille College. Elmira improved to 2-4 on the season.

Both offenses came out looking to get to the basket for easy buckets, with the scoring on pace for the low-90s through the first five minutes. Some defensive alterations by both teams changed the rate, however, as both were still in the mid-teens late in the half. Clarkson looked to take a double-digit lead into the locker room at the close of the half, but a turnover and a foul on a desperation 3-pointer proved to be a key momentum changer when Maria Thannhauser converted all three of her free throw attempts with 2.5 seconds remaining in the half. The Knights settled for a five-point edge at intermission, 28-23.

Chrissy Scanlon (Queensbury, NY) led Clarkson with seven points in 11 minutes and Sierra Noles (Averill Park, NY) contributed four points, seven rebounds, and a pair of assists off the bench. Thannhauser had 12 points, shooting 5-for-5 from the line.

The second half started with Elmira quickly gaining the lead, but the two teams tussled back and forth, exchanging the lead with numerous ties mixed in. Other than the occasional three-pointer to separate a tie, neither team could muster much of an advantage. In the waning moments, Thannhauser converted on a lay up to give the Eagles a 54-52 lead. Despite a couple of possessions in the final minute, the Knights were unable to get the tying basket or free throws, allowing for Thannhauser to make the free throws in the final seconds.

Thannhauser led all scorers with 25 points, shooting 7-for-12 to go along with her nine free throws. Becca Fretz and Jessica Zoltowski each added in 10 points.

Senior guard Lauren Pluchino (Liverpool, NY) contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, while Sierra Noles added in a double-double off the bench, scoring 10 points with 10 rebounds.