Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 15, 2009) – Although the Vassar College women's basketball team was unable to contain a Centenary College offense that led Division III in scoring last season, the Brewers showcased a high-octane offense of their own, opening the season with a thrilling 95-89 win in front of a packed house at the Athletics & Fitness Center on Sunday afternoon.

The Brewers (1-0) next play at Colby College on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the first game of the Colby Invitational. The Cyclones (0-1) will play Ohio Wesleyan University in the Hunter College Tournament on Friday.

The Cyclones averaged 81.5 points per game last season to lead Division III, while the Brewers averaged 52.6 ppg in 2008-09. The highest total for a Vassar team since 2000 was an 84-point output against Medgar Evers College in 2002.

The Brewers faced a 14 point deficit at one point in the first half, and went into the locker room trailing by eight, but reeled off seven unanswered points to quickly draw within one as sophomore Kristyn Tempora powered in a layup just over two minutes into the second half. The Cyclones countered as senior Kristen Camuso scored at the other end, but consecutive baskets by senior Emily Haeuser and Tempora gave the Brewers a 60-59 lead with 15:45 to play, Vassar's first lead in nearly 13 minutes.

Neither team led by more than six until the final 80 second of the game. The Brewers whittled down a 78-73 Centenary lead to tie the game at 80 with 6:11 to play after Haeuser drew a foul in the lane and drained both her free throw shots. Two free throws from freshman Tori Chaltain gave Vassar a two-point lead, but the Cyclones quickly regained the edge following a long three-pointer from junior Leah Murphy. On the other end, sophomore Brittany Parks made a nice move in the lane to score a lay-up, and give Vassar an 84-83 lead with 5:11 to play.

The Brewers protected and built on that narrow advantage and would not trail again as Haeuser, Parks, Tempora and junior Carolyn Crampton all converted clutch shots in the closing minutes to give Vassar the season-opening win.

In a tight, fast-paced first half, with five ties and 11 lead changes, the Brewers opened up scoring as Haeuser converted a short turnaround jumper on the first possession of the game. A Tempora three-pointer quickly gave Vassar a 5-0 lead but it would be its largest lead of the half. The Cyclones came back to tie the game 7-7 on a Marissa DiStasio free throw, and the teams continued to trade leads.

However, following the game's fifth tie, 29-29 with 8:20 to play, the Cyclones began to take control, going on a 12-1 run in less than two minutes to take the biggest lead of the half (and the game), 53-39 with 2:52 to play before halftime. On the strength of five huge points from Vassar freshman Olivia Westbrook-Gold, who scored all 12 of her points in the first half, the Brewers whittled the lead to eight heading into the locker room.

The Brewers were plagued by fouls in the first half, putting Centenary in the bonus less than five minutes into the game, and in the double bonus with 12:50 left in the half. Vassar committed 17 first half fouls and the Cyclones took advantage, shooting 22-for-27 from the charity stripe. Despite the foul troubles, the Brewers had just one player foul out, and saw Tempora, Haeuser, and Chaltain make it through the final eight minutes of play despite having four fouls apiece.

The Brewers put five players in doubles figures, led by Tempora, who matched a career high with 23 points, to go with eight rebounds. Parks added 20 points, while Haeuser contributed a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double. Westbrook-Gold and Chaltain had impressive collegiate debuts, with 12 and 10 points respectively. Crampton added seven points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

The Cyclones also had five players in double figures, and were led by Distasio's 18 points and seven rebounds. Camuso, who averaged 21.8 ppg and 3.7 made three-pointers per game last season, netted 16 points but had no three-pointers. Sophomore Jen Vasta added 15 points and four assists, while sophomore Hannah Ally chipped in with 13 points and eight rebounds and Murphy netted 10 points on the strength of three three-pointers.