POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 25, 2013) – The Vassar College women's basketball team, off to a solid 3-0 start, will face its biggest challenge of the young season Tuesday evening with a road trip to Wesleyan University. The Brewers only played once last week, earning a seven-point, 60-53 win over New Paltz in non-conference action. The Cardinals are currently 5-0 on the season for the first time since 2004-05.

Game Details
Opponent: at Wesleyan University (5-0/0-0 NESCAC)
Site: Middletown, CT
Facility:  Silloway Gymnasium (1,200)
Date: November 26, 2013
Time: 7 p.m.
Live Stats

What to Watch For
The Brewers come into tonight's game in search of their third consecutive 4-0 start to a season, but will have to execute better offensively to come away with a win Tuesday. The Cardinals allow just 53 points per game, forcing opposition into 22.2 turnovers per game. Vassar struggled the last time out with giving the ball away, chalking up 27 turnovers on the road at New Paltz. In the Brewer's 33-point win over Brooklyn, VC turned the ball over just 12 times. If VC can hold onto the ball, and execute on offense, it will go a long way towards picking up a win.

A Look At The Cardinals
Wesleyan University enters Tuesday evening's game winners in all five of its contests, outscoring opponents on average by 12.6 points per game. The Cardinals feature a balanced attack, as no one player is posting 10 or more points per game. Driesen Heath leads WU in scoring with 9.8 points per game, while Kaylie Williams adds 9.6 points and 7.2 boards per game.

The Cardinals really pound the boards, as they have out-rebounded teams by over 10 caroms per night. Wesleyan is also very deep, as it is currently playing ten players over nine minutes per game, with no one averaging over 26 minutes. The Cardinals are first in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) in free throws made and percentage so far. Wesleyan also sits atop the opposing field goal percentage list, allowing teams to shoot just 28.6 from the floor. The Achilles heel for the Cardinals has been perimeter shooting, making a league-low 23.6 percent from three-land.

Projected Starters – Jess Cherenz (5.4 PPG) , Jenna Klaes (6.8), Kaylie Williams (9.6), Amber Wessells (8.6), Cherkira Lashley (6.2).

Against Wesleyan All-Time
Tuesday night's tussle with Wesleyan will be the second-ever meeting between the two schools on the basketball court, with Vassar earning a 63-59 win last year. The Brewers are plenty familiar with NESCAC opponents though. Vassar is 7-43 (.150) against schools that comprise the NESCAC, with most of those games coming against former Liberty League opponent Hamilton College. Vassar only has a winning record over one other school from the New England league other than Wesleyan, beating Connecticut College in two of the three games played between the two schools.

Top Looking Down
As of November 25, the Brewers currently pace the Liberty League in field goal percentage, making 44 percent of their shots. On the other hand, VC is best among conference schools, holding opposition to just 32.4 percent shooting.

Nothing's Easy
Vassar's solid defense has helped it win games, as VC is the Liberty League leader in scoring defense, surrendering just 45.3 points per game. This comes from not fouling, as Vassar has fouled just 15 times per game as a squad, with other teams taking just 9.3 free throws per contest.

No Three Signal
Making shots on the Brewers this year from three-point land has not been easy, as teams  are making just 16.7 percent from three-land. That stifling three-point defense leads the League.

Need The Free Ones
Vassar has been solid shooting the ball this year from most places on the court, but the free throw line has been tough. VC is making just 62 percent of its shots at the charity stripe, eighth highest in the league.

Closing In
Senior guard Cydni Matsuoka (Sacramento, CA/John F. Kennedy) is slowly but surely closing in on becoming Vassar's all-time leading scorer. Matsuoka has 1,424 points currently, sitting 158 points behind current all-time leader Brittany Parks and her 1,582 points scored. Right now, Matsuoka would have to average 7.2 points per game the rest of the way to break the record.

To The Offensive
As of November 25, the career offensive rebounds record is currently held by Emily Haeuser with 284. Senior forward Hannah Senftleber (Burlington, VT/Burlington) trails that mark by 59, as she tries to become the all-time leader in that category at Vassar.

Scoring Balance
The Brewers enter the week as the only team in the Liberty League with three individuals in the top 15 in scoring.

Tough As Nails
Sophomore guard Caitlin Drakeley (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug) is only 5-7, but ranks seventh in the League in rebounding with nine per game. She has posted two double-doubles this year and nearly had a triple-double against New Paltz.

Senft It In
Hannah Senftleber hasn't taken a ton of shots for Vassar this year, but she's making the one's that she's taking. Senftleber is first in the conference in shooting percentage, making 60 percent (15-25) from the floor.

Initial Robbery
Drakeley tied the all-time record for steals in a game Thursday against New Paltz with eight. Coming into that contest, the sophomore guard has no thefts in the previous two games.

Getting It Done
Junior forward Michaela Janowski (Stratham, NH/Exeter Area) has been the glue for the Brewers this season, as she is doing a lot of the little things. Janowski was stellar again at New Paltz, filling the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Up Next
Vassar will be off until Wednesday, December 4 after Tuesday night's game, when St. Joseph's College (LI) will come to Poughkeepsie, NY for a 7 p.m. tip.