Box Score

SCHNECTADY, NY (January 2, 2015) - Despite a career-tying 32 points from junior guard Caitlin Drakeley (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug), the Vassar College women's basketball team dropped its Liberty League opener to Union College 72-68 in play from Viniar Athletic Center Friday evening.

Union College (6-2, 1-0 Liberty League) jumped out early in the first half, leading by as many as 12 with 11:56 to play in the opening stanza, as Natalie Leone made the score 20-8 after a driving layup. Vassar (5-5, 0-1 Liberty League) started to creep back into the contest, and used an 11-2 run over 3:12 of the period to take its first lead at 28-27 after a pull-up jumper by Drakeley.

The Dutchwomen would finish the half strong though, scoring five points in the final 24 seconds to take a 43-36 lead into the intermission. Drakeley had a game-best 20 points in the opening period, making 9-of-16 from the floor, while Jenni Barra paced UC with 11 points on three trifectas and a pair of free throws.

The second half started with a quick start by the hosts, as Union charged ahead to take an 11-point lead at 49-38 after back-to-back three-pointers by Cailin Schmeer and Barra. VC responded with a 16-4 run, hitting on 8-of- 11 field goals over a 6:38 stretch to take a 54-53 edge. That was the last time VC led though, as the Brewers had chances late but could not get over the hump as Schmeer iced the game from the line for Union.

Drakeley was 15-for-29 from the field for her 32 points, which tied her career-high set last year against Williams College. Her 29 shot attempts were the most ever for Vassar player, eclipsing the 27 taken by Kristyn Tempora at Clarkson University back on February 21, 2009. The 15 made field goals also set a school record, topping the 13 set by Colleen O'Connell (Maywood, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) back on January 8, 2013 at Bard College.

Drakeley also dished a team-best five assists and grabbed three steals on the night. O'Connell finished with her fourth double-double in five games, pulling in a team-high 10 rebounds to go with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Senior Allyson Pemberton (Weston, MA/Weston) was the only other Brewer in double-figures, as she posted 10 points in 39 minutes of action.

The Brewers made 43.5 percent (27-62) from the floor, and connected on 12-of-15 from the free throw line. Union had four players in double-digit scoring, led by the 22 points of Barra, who made 4-of-8 from downtown. Schmeer added with 17 points, and Amy Fisher and Leone registered 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Union took 33 free throws on the night, making 23 of those, while nailing 7-of-17 (41.2 percent) from behind the three-point arc.

The Brewers are right back in action tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m., traveling to Saratoga Springs, NY to battle the Thoroughbreds of Skidmore College in Liberty League action from Williamson Sports Center.