POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 18, 2013) – The Vassar College women's basketball team will begin defense of its back-to-back Liberty League Championships on Wednesday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m., when the Brewers host William Smith in a semi-final game at the Athletics & Fitness Center.

When: Wednesday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Athletics & Fitness Center, Poughkeepsie, NY

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Series Records: William Smith holds a 27-3 all-time record against Vassar in a series that began in the 1996 season. The teams split this seasons games, Vassar losing on January 26 at William Smith (67-59) and winning on February 8 (80-70).

Last Game vs. William Smith (February 8, 2013): The Brewers 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 Vassar to hang on and register a 80-70 victory. 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. Read the full story.

Vassar Roster | Vassar Schedule | Vassar Statistics | Liberty League Statistics

Vassar Notes (21-4, 13-3): The Brewers closed out the season with eight straight wins, and swept the second half of their Liberty League schedule. This season, Vassar set school records for most wins in a season and in league play. To secure to No. 1 seed in the Liberty League Championships, the Brewers defeated both Skidmore and Union on the road. In the cruical win over Union, junior guard Cydni Matsuoka scored 23 points, six of those coming in 

Inside the numbers:  The .840 overall winning percentage is best in school history, as is the .812 league winning percentage. Vassar went an impressive 11-1 at home. This season, the Brewers led the Liberty League in six team categories, including scoring (69.8 ppg), scoring margin (+11.4 ppg), field goal percentage (.427), 3-pt field goal percentage (.330), offensive rebounding (43.1 rpg) and assists (16.8 apg).

Game to game: In the first game against William Smith, the Brewers shot only 1-8 from 3-point distance. That was improved to 7-14 in the second game. Free throws improved from 8-10 to 23-26, rebounds from 29 to 45 (Vassar had ten more offensive rebounds in the same game).

Off the boards: Sophomore forward Colleen O'Connell had 35 rebounds in the two games against William Smith, 19 coming in the home victory.

Vassar Head Coach: Vassar is coached by Candice Brown, who is in her fourth 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.

William Roster |  William Smith Schedule | William Smith Statistics

William Smith Notes (16-9, 10-6): The Herons secured the fourth and final spot in the Liberty League Championship field with a 72-70 win over St. Lawrence in the regular season finale for both squads. Senior Sydni Salvatore led three Herons in double figures with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting including a game-high four 3-pointers. The Herons shot a season-high 53.2 percent from the floor and drained 9-of-12 from 3-point land. Sophomore Chloe Hayter added 18 points and junior Erin O'Brien contributed 12 points and a team-high seven assists. Junior Jacqueline Murphy pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

William Smith Head Coach: Lindsay Drury Sherman in her seventh season.