SALEM, MA (December 30, 2015) – Wheaton College (MA) chalked up 25 third-quarter points which proved to be the difference as the Vassar College women's basketball team fell in the Salem State University Holiday Tournament title game 65-59.

Vassar College (2-6) started strong Wednesday against the Lyons, leading through the entire opening period, taking an eight-point lead at 15-7 after a triple from freshman Nicole Teta (Maspeth, NY/Archbishop Molloy). Teta, who was back in her more familiar No. 4 against Wheaton, scored eight first half points for VC.

The Lyons (8-3) rallied after that bucket by Teta, going on a 10-0 run between the first and second period to take a 17-15 lead with 8:48 to play in the opening half. Wheaton led for most of the quarter, but another trifecta from Teta and a layup by Caitlin Drakeley (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug) gave the Brewers a 28-27 edge at the half.

Sophomore Ariella Rosenthal (Mill Valley, CA/Redwood) paced all scorers with 12 points in the opening half for Vassar, while freshman Sabrina Ulsh (Bellingham, MA/Bellingham) led the Brewers with six caroms. Kiley Shoemaker posted five points and eight boards, while Rebecca Arnone added 11 points for the Lyons.

That set the stage for the big third quarter from the Lyons, as Shoemaker chalked up 10 points in the period to lead the way for Wheaton. In the fourth quarter, Vassar kept it close but hit didn't hit a field goal in the period until 19 seconds left in the game as Wheaton iced the contest from the line with eight free throws over the last 1:47 of regulation. VC went over 11 minutes without a field goal over the third and fourth quarters, which undermined a strong defensive effort from the Brewers in the final period.

Rosenthal was named as an All-Tournament Team member for the Brewers, as she posted a game-high 23 points for the Brewers, adding five rebounds and a career-high six steals. Teta finished with 11 points off the bench for VC, nailing three of her six attempts from deep, while Drakeley posted 10 points, a team-leading eight rebounds and three steals.

Ulsh registered a career-best seven rebounds for Vassar in just 12 minutes, and Rose Serafini (Milton, ON/Milton District) added six points, five boards and three blocks. Vassar shot the ball well from the line, connecting on 13-of-15 (86.7 percent) from the charity stripe. VC also won the rebounding battle 45-38, including pulling down 23 offensive rebounds. VC was troubled by 22 turnovers Wednesday, as well as 30.9 percent shooting from the field.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Kiley Shoemaker finished with 16 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks for the Lyons, and fellow All-Tournament Team member and teammate Rebecca Arnone posted 19 points for Wheaton. WC was strong from the line, making 81.8 percent on its freebies on the day.

The Brewers will be off until Friday, January 8 at 6 p.m., traveling to Canton, NY to open Liberty League action against St. Lawrence University (5-2) in Ronald Burkman Gymnasium.