Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 13, 2015) – The Vassar College women's basketball team forced visiting Rochester Institute of Technology into just 30 percent shooting, as the Brewers led from start to finish in a 60-49 Liberty League win over the Tigers in action from the Athletics and Fitness Center Friday night.

With the win, the Brewers eliminated the Tigers from the Liberty League Tournament, and also moved to a perfect 8-0 all-time against RIT. Vassar College came out of the gate playing team basketball, as six of its first seven buckets of the game were assisted on. With the score 8-6 in the early going, Vassar used a 9-0 run capped by a traditional three-point play from senior Allyson Pemberton (Weston, MA/Weston) to take an 11-point edge.

RIT (10-12, 4-9 Liberty League) closed the gap to three at 19-16 after a Sarah Wolcott layup, but the Brewers responded with seven consecutive points, taking a 30-21 lead into the intermission. Junior Rose Serafini (Milton, Ontario, Canada/Milton Area) had her best half as a Brewer, scoring 10 points to go with four boards, three assists and two blocks.

After the break, the Vassar spread fluctuated from five to 11 points before RIT trimmed the lead down to four with 4:07 remaining on two freebies from Ashlynn Palmitesso. The Brewers stood tall though, not missing another shot and making all seven free throws over the final four minutes to clinch the Liberty League win.

The Brewers made 41.8 percent (23-55) from the field, which was the fifth-best percentage of the season. Junior Caitlin Drakeley (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug) posted a game-best 23 points for the Brewers, going 8-of-12 from the field while making all seven shots from the charity stripe. Drakeley corralled seven boards and had three assists as well, while Pemberton ended the game with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor.

Serafini posted 12 points and a game-best eight rebounds for Vassar, and freshman Ariella Rosenthal (Mill Valley, CA/Redwood) pulled down eight boards as well for Vassar. The Brewers turned the ball over 16 times on Friday night, but only allowed the Tigers to score four points total off those giveaways.

RIT had four players in double figures, led by the 17 points from Palmitesso off the bench. Merissa Maiorano finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds for RIT, and Jessica Glaz and Sarah Wolcott each finished with 10 points apiece for the Tigers. RIT made 18-of-60 from the field, but lost the rebounding battle, 43-34.

The Brewers (9-13, 4-9 Liberty League) will honor Pemberton for Senior Day Saturday afternoon against William Smith College at 2 p.m., as VC tries to earn its fifth consecutive 10-win season.