POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 17, 2014) – The Vassar College women's basketball team, winners of nine of its last 10 games, will wrap up its 2013-14 home slate Tuesday evening with a 6 p.m. tip-off with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Liberty League play. Vassar is fresh off a 2-0 weekend, having knocked off Skidmore College 73-67 Friday and Union College 67-63. These two teams met back in January 28 in Troy, NY, with Vassar earning a 81-60 win over RPI.

Game Details
Opponent: vs. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (7-15, 5-8 Liberty League)         
(RPI Women's Basketball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility:  Athletics and Fitness Center (1,200)
Date: February 18, 2014
Time: 6 p.m.
Game Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

What To Look For
The Brewers have already clinched a spot in the post season Liberty League Tournament, but seeding is still up for grabs. Vassar is 10-1 at home this season, and having the advantage of making everyone make the long trip to Poughkeepsie in the playoffs could come in handy. Since VC and St. Lawrence University are tied for first right now at 11-2, a win by Vassar Tuesday against the Engineers would ensure that regardless of what happens Saturday at Clarkson, that if Vassar won Friday at SLU that it would earn the top seed in the playoffs.

A Look at the Engineers (7-15, 5-8 Liberty League)
RPI has had an up-and-down season so far, but has won two of its last three contests including a 65-51 win over Bard College last Tuesday evening. The Engineers haven't had any trouble scoring this campaign, ranking fourth in the Liberty League in offense with 63.5 points per game, but ranks last in the conference in scoring defense allowing 68.5 tallies per night. The Engineers also are posting the league's lowest rebounding margin, being out-boarded nightly by an average of 6.6 rebounds a game. Rensselaer does force teams into turning the ball over, and is third in the League in steals.

The Engineers are paced offensively by the play from Ashley Clough, who is tied for fourth in the Liberty League with 15.4 points per outing. Clough has made a team-best 32 triples this season, also besting the team tallies with 7.7 boards per game and 23 blocks. Amanda Lynch is the only other player to start all 22 games for RPI, as she pours in 13.8 points per game. Lynch does most of her damage on the inside, as she leads the team with a 46.1 shooting percentage. Courtney Reynolds adds 7.3 points for RPI, having made 25 three-pointers this year. 11 players average over 11 minutes per game for the Engineers.

Projected Starting Lineup: G/F - Ashley Clough (15.4 PPG), G/F - Amanda Lynch (13.8 PPG), G - Courtney Reynolds (7.3 PPG), G - Kelly Piotrowski (3.8 PPG), G/F - Jackie Sortor (4.1 PPG).

Against RPI All-Time
The Engineers have held the upper hand in the series with Vassar, holding a 25-10 edge in games dating back to 1988. Vassar has won the last four with RPI, also chalking up wins in seven of the last nine between the two schools.

Senior Moment
Senior guard Jarae Farrell (Piscataway, NJ/Timothy Christian) had not played one game during her four-year career at Vassar due to injury. This weekend, she finally put on the burgundy and gray, and started both games for Vassar.

Ohhh, OT
The Brewers played back-to-back overtime games against William Smith College and Skidmore College recently. VC shook off a loss to WSC in the extra session to pick up the win against Skidmore Friday. It was the first time since 2011-12 that VC has played an overtime game, seeing action in two that season against, you guessed it, William Smith and Skidmore.

Brewing Triples
Vassar College hasn't had much trouble shooting from deep lately, shooting over 40 percent from downtown in seven of its last ten games. During that stretch, the Brewers have made 45.6 percent (52-114) of its trifectas.

That's Mine
Vassar College has done a pretty good job of holding onto the ball this season, and tied its season-low for turnovers Friday night against Skidmore, surrendering the ball just nine times.

Making Things Happen
This season, senior Hannah Senftleber (Burlington, VT/Burlington) has led the team in usage percentage for the Brewers, chalking up a 24.9 rating. Usage rating is a percentage of team plays used while on the floor.

Double-Double Trouble
This season, Vassar's Caitlin Drakeley (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug) and Hannah Senftleber have combined to pull in 15 double-doubles. Drakeley currently has a streak of three straight contests with a double-double.

Board Battle Victory
For only the second time this season, the Brewers lost the rebounding battle and won Friday against Skidmore. In the five times VC has been out-boarded, the Brewers hold a record of 2-3.

C and C
Over the last six games, the Brewers have been led in scoring by Cydni Matsuoka (Sacramento, CA/John F. Kennedy) and Caitlin Drakeley, each with three games apiece. Those two have a combined 17 games as the high point scorer for Vassar this year.

Thievery
The Brewers come into this week as the only team in the league with four members in the top 20 in steals. Cydni Matsuoka is 6^th, Caitlin Drakeley is 7^th, Allyson Pemberton (Weston, MA/Weston) is 12^th and Michaela Janowski (Stratham, NH/Exeter Area) sits 17^th.

In The Dance
Vassar clinched a spot in the Liberty League playoffs Saturday with the win over Union College, marking the fourth straight season VC will compete for the League's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

Up Next
Vassar will conclude its regular season Friday and Saturday in North Country. The Brewers will take on St. Lawrence University Friday night at 6 p.m., before battling Clarkson Saturday at 2 p.m. in Potsdam, NY.