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Game Program

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 14, 2011) -- The Vassar College women's basketball team kept the lead away from Clarkson University from the first basket until final buzzer and won its opening Liberty League game 57-54 Friday evening at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

Vassar held a 10 point lead at 57-47 with 53 seconds left to play. Although Clarkson scored the game's final seven points, the Golden Knights could not overcome that deficit despite its late rush. The Brewers held a 25-23 lead at halftime, but shot its way past the Golden Knights with a 42.9 percent effort from the field in the second half. Four Vassar players scored in double figures.

The Brewers (6-5, 1-0 Liberty) wrap up Liberty League opening weekend against St. Lawrence University on Saturday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. at the Athletics and Fitness Center. Clarkson (3-8, 0-1 Liberty) travels to RPI on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. game.

Vassar freshman forward Hannah Senftleber scored the game's final four points to keep the Brewers ahead 57-47 in the final minute. Quick baskets by Clarkson sophomore guard Noelle Miller and junior guard Carey Turner helped the visitors trim to the Vassar lead to 57-51 with 34 seconds remaining.

After five ensuing scoreless possessions by the two teams, Miller canned a  free throw line with 3 seconds remaining and teammate Sierra Noles scored on the missed second free throw, accounting for the 57-54 final score.

The Brewers maintained a multiple basket lead for most of the second half that occasionally slipped into a double figure advantage. Clarkson pulled within five points on a 3-pointer by Turner with 4:29 remaining, but a pair of free throws by sophomore guard Olivia Westbrook-Gold and a catch and shoot 3-pointer by freshman guard Cydni Matsuoka bumped the Vassar lead back to double figures at 53-43 with 2:33 remaining. Miller then traded baskets with the Brewers as she scored seven of Clarkson's final 11 points down the stretch.

Although Clarkson held a slight 44-39 rebounding advantage, Vassar capitalized on offensive rebounds with a 17-11 advantage in second chance baskets, 12 of those points coming in the second half.

In the first half, the Brewers jumped out to 6-0 lead with a jumper by sophomore forward Natalie Allen at 17:59. Allen grew Vassar's lead to 14-4 at 12:14 with a couple of free throws. Vassar scored 11 points off turnovers in the first half.

Matsuoka led the Brewers in scoring with a game-high 16 points, sinking all three of Vassar's 3-pointers. Senftleber posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double, her fourth this season. Junior captain Brittany Parks tallied 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Westbrook-Gold added 10 points.

Turner led the Golden Knights with 14 points. Miller notched 11 points and five rebounds.