POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 14, 2013) – With seending for the Liberrty League Championships at stake, the Vassar College women's basketball team will travel to both Skidmore and Union this Friday and Saturday in the final regular season games. 

The Scouting Report vs. Skidmore

Game Time: Friday, Feburary 15  at 6:00 p.m.

Place: Williamson Arena, Saratoga Springs, NY

Live Coverage: Live Stats

Series Record: Skidmore leads the series 27-11. | Vassar Record Book

Vassar Roster | Vassar 2012-13 Schedule | 2012-13 Statistics

Vassar Women's Notes (19-4, 11-3): Last Saturday, the Brewers needed every bit of a 50 percent shooting performance and plus-19 rebounding advantage to fend off a scrappy Rochester Institute of Technology team, 85-75, at the Athletics & Fitness Center. The hard-earned victory, Vassar's 19th on the season, not only kept the Brewers in the hunt for the top seed in the Liberty League playoffs, but also set a new record for victories in a season. With its 11th league victory, the sixth straight, Vassar also set a mark for Liberty League wins.

Last Game vs. Skidmore (January 18, 2013): The Brewers weathered an initial Skidmore College blitz that saw the Thoroughbreds race out to a 16-2 lead, but couldn't contain a 59 percent second half shooting performance by the visitors, falling 69-54 in Liberty League action. The Brewers, who fell behind 16-2 at the midpoint of the first half, went on their own 17-5 run to claw back into the game. With effective shooting by sophomore forward Colleen O'Connell and junior guard Cydni Matsuoka, Vassar drew even at 26-26 with 2:10 until halftime, but Skidmore closed out on a 5-0 run and never trailed in the second half.

Numbers: On Monday, sophomore forward Colleen O'Connell was named to the Liberty League Honor Roll for her a second straight week. O'Connell spearheaded a 3-0 week for the Brewers, catapulting Vassar to a tie for the Liberty League lead. She averaged a double-double for the week with 15.9 ppg and 10.3 rpg marks. O'Connell tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds against William Smith. Ten of her 21 rebounds were on the offensive end. She shot 10-12 from the free throw line, had six assists and two steals.

Junior guard Cydni Matsuoka is third in the Liberty League in scoring (17.4 ppg), first in field goal percentage (.545), assists (5.5 apg), free throw percentage (.879), 3-point percentage (.455) and second in 3-pointers made per game (2.2).

National Numbers: In the February 10, NCAA Statistics, junior guard Cydni Matsuoka ranked 11th in the nation in assists, 14th in field goal percentage, fourth in 3-point shooting percentage and fourth in assist to turnover ratio.

Liberty League Standings (As of 2/14/13): 
Team, League Record, Overall Record
Vassar 11-3, 19-4 
St. Lawrence 11-3, 17-6 
Skidmore 10-4, 12-11 
William Smith 8-6, 14-9 
Union 8-6, 13-9 
RPI 7-7, 13-10 
RIT 6-8, 10-13 
Clarkson 2-12, 4-18 
Bard 1-15, 7-18 

Next Up: The Brewers will visit Union on Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Skidmore Roster | Skidmore  2012-13 Schedule | 2012-13 Statistics

Skidmore Notes (12-11, 10-4):  The Skidmore women's basketball team nearly erased a 13 point halftime deficit against Clarkson on Tuesday night, but came up short, falling 61-55 in a game played in Potsdam, NY.  The loss dropped Skidmore into third place in the latest Liberty League standings. The first half belonged to Clarkson as Skidmore struggled to contain the Golden Knights balanced scoring attack.  Clarkson found its rhythm early, outscoring Skidmore 14-2 in the game's first six and a half minutes. The Golden Knights shot nearly 87 percent from the floor in the opening minutes of action, making 12 of 13 shots. Despite Clarkson shooting over 68 percent from the field in the first half of action, Skidmore headed into the locker room trailing 35-22.

Next Up: RPI, home, on February 16 at 2:00 p.m.   

Coaches: Vassar is coached by Candice Brown, who is in her 4th season. Brown has led the Brewers to back-to-back Liberty League Championships and appearances in the NCAA Division III Championships. She was the 2010-11 Liberty League Coach of the Year.

Skidmore is coached by Darren Bennett.

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The Scouting Reports vs. Union

Game Time: Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Place: Viniar Athletic Center, Schenectady, NY

Live Coverage: Live Stats

Series Record: Union leads the series 26-11. 

Last Game vs. Union (January 19, 2013): Sophomore forward Colleen O'Connell hit back-to-back jumpers to break a 56-56 tie and the Vassar College women's basketball team overcame a 12-point first half deficit to rally for a 65-58 victory over Union College. In a second half that was tied five times, O'Connell's consecutive jumpers, separated by a scant 10 seconds, broke a 56-56 deadlock at the 3:02 mark. The Dutchwomen were unable to rally, missing their next four shots, while the Brewers closed out the game connecting on six straight free throws.

Union Roster | Union 2012-13 Schedule | 2012-13 Statistics

Union Notes (13-9, 8-6): The Dutchwomen host RPI Friday night. Prior to Friday night, St. Lawrence used a 13-1 run over a span of 4:41 in the second half en route to a 63-53  victory in Canton, NY. Kelsey McDonald led Union with 13 points, while Brittney Kenney and Kate Thompson each added nine points and combined for 15 rebounds. Amy Loya joined Kenney with a team high eight rebounds.

Union is coached by Mary Ellen Burt in her 14th season. 

Next Up: Regular Season Finale