Box Score

WATERVILLE, ME (November 21, 2009) – Behind a career-high 34 points from senior captain Emily Haeuser, the Vassar College women's basketball team erased a 17-point halftime deficit late in the game to pull out a 77-71 victory over Thomas College in the consolation game of the Colby Invitational on Saturday.

The Brewers improve to 2-1 and will next host Drew University on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. The Terriers fall to 0-3.

Although Vassar chipped away at the Thomas lead throughout the second half, the Terriers maintained their advantage and looked to have things under control with a 67-57 lead with 5:50 to play. However, on the strength of ten consecutive points from Haeuser, the Brewers put together an 11-1 run, capped by a free throw from freshman Natalie Allen that tied the game at 68 with 2:30 to play. An offensive rebound and put-back from freshman Tori Chaltain off Allen's second free throw gave the Brewers its first lead since 12 minutes into the game. Allen drained a jumper to give Vassar a 72-68 lead and although Kellie Martel sank a three-pointer to bring Thomas within one, free throws by Haeuser and junior Carolyn Crampton and a steal and lay-up from freshman Olivia Westbrook-Gold sealed the win for the Brewers.

Haeuser, who was named to the Colby Invitational All-Tournament Team, scored 23 of her career-high 34 points in the second half. She shot 11-for-17 from the floor, and 12-for-14 from the line, while also pulling down 13 rebounds and contributing two assists and two steals. Junior Kristyn Tempora contributed 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Chaltain added ten points, six rebounds, and three assists. Allen netted a career-high nine points to go with six rebounds. The Brewers, who outrebounded the Terriers 51-29, got seven rebounds apiece from the guard duo of Westbrook-Gold (six points, three assists, three steals) and Crampton (four assists).

The opening 12 minutes of the game were close, with three ties and six lead changes. However, after a layup from Karin Bird gave the Terriers a 19-18 lead with 8:03 left in the half, Thomas outscored the Brewers 27-11 and Vassar committed eight turnovers to go into halftime trailing 46-29.

Coming out of the locker room, the Brewers cut the lead to single-digits off a Tempora layup with 16 minutes remaining in the game, and drew within four on three occasions, but it was not until Haeuser's ten-point eruption late in the half that Vassar was able to get any closer.

The Brewers overcame a 28-turnover game by out-scoring Thomas 40-22 in the paint and scoring 21 points from the charity stripe in comparison to the Terriers' seven points from the free throw line.