POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 29, 2015) – The Vassar College women's basketball team (7-9, 2-5 Liberty) looks to return to the win column this weekend, hosting Skidmore College Friday evening and Union College Saturday afternoon in Liberty League action. The Brewers are coming off back-to-back losses last weekend, falling to St. Lawrence University 59-57 and Clarkson University 90-67.

Game Details
Date: January 30, 2015
Opponent: Skidmore College (11-5, 7-0 Liberty League)
Links: (Skidmore Team Home Page) (Roster) (Schedule) (Statistics)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility: Athletics and Fitness Center
Time: 6 p.m.
Twitter Coverage: (@VassarAthletics) (@VassarWBB) (@SkidmoreSID) (@SkidmoreWBB)
Game Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)
 
Game Details
Date: January 31, 2015
Opponent: Union College (10-7, 4-5 Liberty League)
Links: (Union Team Home Page) (Roster) (Schedule) (Statistics)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility: Athletics and Fitness Center
Time: 2 p.m.
Twitter Coverage: (@VassarAthletics) (@VassarWBB) (@UnionAthletics)
Game Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)
 
What To Watch For
The Brewers come into the weekend desperately needing some victories, as they are three games behind Clarkson University for the final playoff spot. The good news is that of Vassar's next five games, it plays five teams that immediately above them in the standings, allowing an opportunity to move up the table quickly. To make the playoffs, the Brewers probably need to win eight of their final nine conference games.
 
A Look At The Skidmore (11-5, 7-0 Liberty League)
The Thoroughbreds have been hitting on all cylinders this season thus far, bringing an unblemished 7-0 Liberty League record into the weekend. Skidmore has won its last five games, including an 83-73 overtime victory over William Smith last Saturday afternoon. The Thoroughbreds are third in the Liberty League in scoring, averaging 66.6 points, making the most triples in the conference with 108. The Skidmore defense has been solid, leading the conference in scoring defense with just 54.2 points allowed a game. Skidmore also paced the Liberty League in rebounding margin, out-rebounding teams by nine caroms a night.
 
The Thoroughbreds come into the contest ranking second in the nation in defensive rebounds per game, grabbing 33 per game, while also holding teams to the 13^th lowest field goal percentage in the nation. Angela Botiba leads the Thoroughbreds this season in multiple categories, including points per game, rebounds per game and blocks. She is 10^th in the League in scoring with 12.9 points per game, while her rebounding totals of 10.1 is fourth in the conference. Amber Holgate is second in scoring for the T'Breds with 9.8 points per game, while Kelly Donnelly pours in 9.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Senior Molly McLaughlin leads the conference in three-point shooting percentage with a .443 clip, which is 12^th in the nation as well. She also leads the league in assists per game with 4.8. Lindsey Davis is another three-point threat, knocking down 32 on the season.
 
Potential Starting Lineup: Angela Botiba (12.9 PPG), Amber Holgate (9.8 PPG), Kelly Donnelly (9.7 PPG), Molly McLaughlin (9.6 PPG), Ella Schuerell (4.3 PPG).
 
Against Skidmore All-Time
The Thoroughbreds have doubled up the Brewers over the years, earning 28 wins to just the 14 from Vassar College. Over the last 10 meetings, the two teams have each earned five games apiece with Skidmore earning the earlier season's meeting in Saratoga Springs, 78-66.
 
Last Four Contests: Jan. 3, 2015 | Feb. 14, 2014 | Jan. 10, 2014 | Feb. 15, 2013
 
A Look At The Dutchwomen (10-7, 4-5 Liberty League)
The Dutchwomen have alternated wins and losses over their last four games, earning a win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute last Saturday, 64-52, thanks to 16 points from Kate Thompson and 14 points off the bench from Amy Fisher. Union is outscoring opposition this season by seven points on averaging, boasting the League's second-best scoring defense at 55. Union is second in the Liberty League in field goal percentage, shooting .404 from the floor, making34.6 percent from behind the three-point line. Union has been to the free throw line more than any team in the Liberty League, but is making just 62.0 percent from the charity stripe, second-worst in the conference.
 
The balanced attack off Union starts with freshman guard Jenni Barra, who could be in the running for Liberty League Rookie of the Year. Barra averages 11.6 points per game, leading the Dutch with 24 made field goals. Cailin Schmeer has made more free throw than any other UC player with 46, averaging 11.2 points per game, while Thompson adds 9.4 points and 6.9 caroms nightly. Natalie Leone has started all 17 games for Union, averaging 8.4 points and a team-best 7.1 rebounds, and Fisher has supplemented the starters with 7.8 points nightly in a reserve role. Union has made just 25.4 percent from beyond the arc, and just 58 threes all season, seventh most in the Liberty League.
 
Potential Starting Five: Jenni Barra (11.6 PPG), Cailin Schmeer (11.2 PPG), Kate Thompson (9.4 PPG), Natalie Leone (8.4 PPG), Abby Katz (2.8 PPG).
 
Against Union All-Time
Union holds a 27-14 all-time mark against Vassar College, earning a win over Vassar College back on January 2, earning a 72-68 decision, despite the 32 points from junior Caitlin Drakeley (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug). VC has won the previous six games over Union before the win by Union earlier in the season.
 
Last Four Contests: Jan. 2, 2015 | Feb. 15, 2014 | Jan. 11, 2014 | Feb. 16, 2013
 
Long Time
The Brewers haven't lost three straight Liberty League games since the 2010-11 season, a span of 107 games. Over that span, VC has played a total of 63 Liberty League games.
 
Still Near The Top
Vassar College continues to be amongst the leaders in free throw percentage nationally, coming into the weekend with a .793 clip, third-best in Division III.
 
That's Mine
Vassar's rebounding defense, or number of rebounds the other team grabs per game, is the best in the Liberty League. The Brewers come into the weekend's doubleheader surrendering just 37.9 total boards per game.
 
Call The Swat Team
Junior Rose Serafini (Milton, Ontario, Canada/Milton Area) is third in the conference in blocks per game with 1.8, and also recently set a career-high in points in a game with 14 against Clarkson.
 
Rosenthal-ing Out
Freshman Ariella Rosenthal (Mill Valley, CA/Redwood) had averaged 6.2 points per game over her previous three games, but chalked up double that this past weekend, pouring in 12.5 points per game against SLU and Clarkson.
 
Bounce Back Time
Junior Colleen O'Connell (Maywood, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) had posted seven straight games with double figures before registering a season-low four points against Clarkson.
 
Freebies
The Brewers have knocked down 75 percent or more from the free throw line in seven consecutive games, and have dipped below that mark just three times in 16 games in 2014-15.
 
To The Moon
Junior Alex Moon (Mission Hills, CA/Bishop Alemany) posted seven points against Clarkson, evening her season-high against Bard back on January 6.
 
Up Next
Vassar College will head to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Tuesday, February 3 at 6 p.m. in a makeup of Tuesday night's cancellation due to Winter Storm Juno.