CANTON, N.Y. - The Bard College women's basketball team lost to St. Lawrence University Friday night, 74-44, in the team's first game back following the winter break. 

The defeat dropped the Raptors to 4-4 overall and 0-3 in the Liberty League. Meanwhile, the Saints of St. Lawrence improved to 6-5 and 3-1. 

Bard started the game fast, jumping out to an early 10-4 advantage midway through the first quarter. After the hosts tied the contest up at 10-10, the Raptors proceeded to outscore St. Lawrence 9-0 to close out the quarter. 

In the second frame, the Saints began to rally back and flip the script on the Raptors. Slowly but surely, St. Lawrence chipped away at the nine-point Bard lead, until a three pointer from Ava McCann (Binghamton, NY) with 2:34 remaining in the opening half gave the hosts their first lead of the game, 25-23. 

On Bard's next possession down the court, a layup from Jess Rylander tied the contest, but that was as close as Bard got the rest of the way. At halftime, the game was still close with the Saints up just three points, 29-26. However, an explosive third quarter and second half in general from the Saints proved too much for the Raptors, as the hosts cruised to the win in the end. 

While neither side shot the rock particularly well on the night, St. Lawrence benefited from a dominant performance rebounding the ball. In the win, the Saints finished with 67 rebounds (35 offensive) to Bard's 29. 

Individually, freshman Christina Kiser continued to lead the charge for the Raptors' offense. She finished with a game-high 23 points, while Jess Rylander added nine points and seven rebounds in the effort. 

For St. Lawrence, Katie Frederick (Sunapee, NH) collected a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds in the winning effort. 

Up next for Bard is another Liberty League contest, as the Raptors will be at Clarkson University tomorrow (January 5th) at 2 p.m. You can follow the contest right here.