POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – The Vassar College women's basketball team will host cross-town rival SUNY New Paltz in its 2014-2015 home opener. The teams will face off this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

Game Details
Opponent: SUNY New Paltz (1-1, 0-0 SUNYAC)
Links: (SUNY New Paltz Women's Basketball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility: Athletics and Fitness Center (1,200)
Date: November 19, 2014
Time: 7:00 pm
Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)
 
What to Look For
The Brewers return home after suffering back-to-back losses to open the 2014-2015 campaign. Vassar looks to bounce back after tough losses to Babson (66-55), and No. 15 Williams (75-67).

A Look At The Hawks
Last season, New Paltz posted a 6-19 record, and went 4-14 in the SUNYAC. The Hawks opened their season this past weekend at the Emmanuel Tournament, where they fell to William Paterson 69-59, before bouncing back to defeat Mount Saint Mary in the consolation game 61-40. New Paltz had a very young team a year ago, and returns six players that started at least half of their games last season. As a team, the Hawks are averaging 60 points per game on 25.5% shooting, while holding their opponents to 54.5 points per game on 31.5% shooting
 
So far this season, the Hawks have a very balanced offense. Junior guard Colleen Ames leads the team with 18 total points after scoring 12 against William Paterson. Ames is followed by sophomore forwards Kit Small and Courtney Irby with 17 and 15 points, respectively, with Irby scoring 12 points against Mount Saint Mary. On the boards, Small and Irby lead the way again with 18 and 16 total rebounds, with Small corralling a team-high 14 rebounds against Mount Saint Mary. Senior guard Shannon Walker paces the team with six assists, while sophomore guard Taynsha Campbell leads the team shooting 50% from the field.
 
Possible Starting Lineup: G – Shannon Walker, G – Goldie Harrison, G/F – Colleen Ames, G/F Kit Small, F Courtney Irby
 
Against New Paltz All-Time
New Paltz currently leads the series between the two teams 13-4, dating back to 1988. After losing the first seven games in the series, Vassar earned its first win in 1995, defeating the Hawks 59-44. In their last match-up, on November 21, 2013, the Brewers emerged with a hard-fought 60-53 victory. New Paltz's last win in the series came in 2007, where they won 62-47.
Recent Contests: Nov. 21, 2013 
 
Cai-Drake
Junior guard Caitlin Drakeley (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug) came up huge this past weekend for the Brewers. After scoring seven points in the opener against Babson, Drakeley exploded for a career-high 32 points and seven rebounds against Williams. For her efforts, Drakeley was named to the Babson All-Tournament Team, and also made the Liberty League Honor Roll.
 


She's Baaaack
Junior forward Colleen O'Connell (Maywood, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) coming back from surgery a year ago that sidelined her for all of the 2013-2014 season, picked up right where she left off two years ago. O'Connell scored 13 points against Babson, and then recorded six points and ten rebounds against Williams.
 
Senior Sensation
Senior guard Allyson Pemberton (Weston, MA/Weston) started the season strong, being the only Brewer to score in double figures in both games this past weekend. Pemberton lived at the free throw line, going 7-9 against Babson, and an impressive 8-9 against Williams. Pemberton also leads the team with six steals, including five against Babson.
 
Glass Cleaner
Junior forward Rose Serafini (Milton, Ontario, Canada/Milton District) did what she does best this past weekend, grabbing a team-high 12 rebounds and blocking four shots against Babson. Serafini currently leads the Brewers with 17 total rebounds.
 
Ari Gold
Freshman guard/forward Ariella Rosenthal (Mill Valley, CA/Redwood) made an immediate impact in her first two collegiate games, scoring seven points against Babson, before recording eight points and five rebounds in just 15 minutes against Williams.
 
Cookie Monster
Freshman Samarah Cook (Redding, CT/Joel Barlow) played 18 minutes per game this weekend, and led the team in shooting from behind the arc, making two of her four attempts from three-point land.
 
Picked Third
The Vassar women's basketball team was recently voted to finish third in the Liberty League according to the preseason coaches' poll released on November 13. The Brewers received one first-place vote and 48 points overall.
 
2013-2014 regular season champion St. Lawrence was tabbed to win the league, receiving four first-place votes and 59 points overall, while Skidmore came in second with two first-place votes and 51 points. William Smith (45), RIT (38), Union (26), Clarkson (25), RPI (24), and Bard (8) rounded out the poll.
 
Up Next
The Brewers will travel to Patchogue, NY to face off against St Joseph's-Long Island on Friday at 7 p.m. before returning home to host Wesleyan at 6 p.m. next Tuesday.