Box Score
Game Program

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 8, 2013) – The Vassar College women's basketball team had some tricky sledding on a snowy Friday night, watching a 13-point second half lead against William Smith dwindle to three points with under 1:18 to play. But seven straight free throws down the stretch enabled the Brewers to hang on and register a 80-70 Liberty League victory at the Athletics & Fitness Center.

William Smith, which shot just 8 of 22 from the field in the second half (3 of 13 at one juncture), came roaring back from a 64-51 deficit to make the last minutes uneasy for the Brewers. But the Herons, who trailed 73-30 with 1:18 to play, managed only one field goal attempt in the final 78 seconds and were forced to foul the Brewers four times, earning Vassar its final seven points.

With the victory, the Brewers improve to 18-4, 10-3, equaling the overall and league victories from last season. William Smith drops to 13-8, 7-5. On Saturday, Vassar celebrates seniors Natalie Allen and Ali Higgins and hosts Rochester Institute of Technology at 2:00 p.m. William Smith heads to Bard for a 2:00 p.m. game.

At the 16:42 mark of the second half and Vassar down 44-41, the Brewers went on a 17-6 spurt over a 7:47 span to build a 50-40 lead with 8:55 to play. Sophomore forward Colleen O'Connell connected on big back-to-back jumpers in this stretch. Vassar extended its lead to 64-51 with 7:25 to play following a 3-pointer from junior guard Cydni Matsuoka, making the outcome an apparent formality.

But, the Herons, who played a strong first half, went on a 9-0 run to come within 64-60. William Smith got four of those points off free throws from junior guard Erin O'Brien. When Vassar went ahead 71-62 on more O'Connell offensive heroics, William Smith cut the lead to 73-70 off a 3-pointer from senior guard Sydni Salvatore with 1:18 to play.  

The first half featured five ties and seven lead changes and the Herons led for 14:05. Down 18-10 at the 12:46 mark, the Brewers went on a 13-4 run over the next 4:15 to take a 23-22 lead, getting four points from freshman guard Alex Moon and a 3-pointer from senior Ali Higgins. Nearing intermission, Vassar erased a five-point deficit and tied the contest 33-33 off a 3-pointer by freshman guard Caitlin Drakeley. The half ended 39-39, with William Smith hitting two 3-pointers, the second coming with 58 seconds left from junior guard Sasha Borenstein. Matsuoka had four points in the final 2:33.

Matsuoka, who made timely buckets for the Brewers, finished with 23 points and five steals. O'Connell poured in 19 points with 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season and second straight. Junior Hannah Senftleber, who had a strong first half, finished with 15 points and six rebounds.

William Smith was paced by sophomore forward Chloe Hayter with 21 points and 13 rebounds. O'Brien had 18 points on 9 of 10 shooting from the free throw line. Salvatore had 12 points.