CANTON, N.Y.— A quick start evolved into an impressive 69-61 Liberty League road win for the Skidmore College women's basketball team over St. Lawrence University Tuesday night at Burkman Gymnasium.
 
The win keeps the Thoroughbreds in the playoff hunt with an 11-9 overall and 6-6 league record. The Saints drop to 13-6 and 6-4.
 
Skidmore ace Kelly Donnelly posted her fourth straight and eighth double/double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds (all defensive). She also contributed three assists and four steals. Amber Holgate scored 15 points off the bench, hitting 10 of 13 free throws. Veronica Moceri added another 10 bench points.
 
Lauren Quattrocchi led St. Lawrence with 15 points and nine assists.
 
The Thoroughbreds won the 2015 Liberty League championship in their last trip to Burkman Gymnasium on the way to a 3-0 sweep of the Saints last season.
 
The first meeting of the 2015-16 went Skidmore's way from the start.  Donnelly hit the game's first basket and the Thoroughbreds led for every possession except one. Skidmore pressed its way to a 21-10 lead after the first quarter and maintained a 30-22 edge at the half.
 
The Saints did fight back in the fourth quarter, taking a brief 51-50 lead on a Quattrocchi three. St. Lawrence failed to increase the advantage on its next four possessions. Haley English converted a jumper to put Skidmore back in front for good, 52-51 with 6:19 to play.   Skidmore hit 10-of-12 free throws over the final :44 to preserve the win.  Moceri was 6-6 and Holgate 4-6 during that stretch.
 
The Thoroughbred bench outscored the Saints 29-10 and Skidmore scored 22 points off 18 SLU turnovers.
 
Next up for the Thoroughbreds is a non-league game at Sage Colleges on Saturday at 1 p.m.