POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 4, 2017) — The Vassar College women's basketball team (4-7, 1-1 Liberty) opens a five-game homestand, hosting Rochester Institute of Technology on Friday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. and William Smith College the next day at 2 p.m.

Game Details
Opponent: RIT Tigers (8-2, 1-1 Liberty)
Links: (RIT Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility: Athletics & Fitness Center
Date: Friday, January 6, 2017
Time: 6 p.m.
 
Game Details
Opponent: William Smith Herons (6-3, 0-0 Liberty)
Links: (William Smith Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility: Athletics & Fitness Center
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2017
Time: 2 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: Thanks to solid defensive play, Vassar grabbed a 57-48 win against Union College on the road Saturday. Ariella Rosenthal led the Brewers with 14 points, while Sophie Nick picked up her second double-double in as many nights with 10 points and 10 boards, as Vassar out-rebounded Union, 51-39.
 
A Look At The Brewers (4-7):

• After topping Union on New Year's Eve, Vassar looks to carry its momentum into 2017. Following the Brewers' five-game homestand, they'll play in Poughkeepsie three times more during the regular season.
• Many of the Brewers' setbacks have been by a slim margin, as they average 2.5 more points per game, 63.8 to 61.3.
• The Brewers are shooting 38 percent from the floor and 29 percent from three, while holding opponents to 37 and 19 percent respectively.
• Vassar's three-point defensive field goal percentage is the lowest in the Liberty League and the second-lowest in the country behind Christopher Newport (17)
• The Brewers have been aggressive on the glass, averaging 3.3 more rebounds, 42.5 boards to 39.2.
• Vassar has also shared the ball incredibly well, dishing out an average of 15.4 assists per game, compared to opponents' 9.4 per contest.
• Two Brewers are averaging double figures in the scoring column in Rosenthal (15.5ppg) and Nick (11.3ppg).
• Rosenthal has reached double-digit scoring in all but one game, while Nick has reached at least 10 in all but two.
• Furthermore, Rosenthal and Nick combine to grab more than 37 percent of the Brewers' rebounds, as Rosenthal averages 7.1 and Nick averages 8.7 per game.
• Isa Peczuh has also been productive on defense, swiping a team-best 19 steals. The freshman also leads the team with 15 three-pointers on a 37 percent shooting clip from downtown.
• Samarah Cook averages the most assists with 3.2 per contest and the third-most points with 9.2 per game.

 
A Look At The Tigers (8-2):

• RIT opened its 2016-17 season with eight straight wins before falling at Skidmore College 67-66 on Dec. 31 and most recently versus University of Rochester 72-62 on Jan. 3.
• The Tigers have played just twice on their home court, going 1-1 at Clark Gym. They've amassed a 7-1 mark with games played on the road or at neutral sites.
• RIT has outscored opponents by an average of 71.6 to 56.6. The Tigers' 71.6 points per game is the highest average of any Liberty League opponent, and their 12.5 scoring margin is the most by eight points.
• The Tigers have shot 42 percent from the floor and 31 from three-point range, while holding opponents to 34 and 25 percent, respectively. RIT's shooting percentages are the highest in the conference.
• The Tigers have been outrebounded by opponents, 42.7 to 42.3, but their 42.3 grabs per game are the second most in the conference behind Vassar (42.5).
• RIT is forcing more turnovers compared to opponents, 164-132, registering more steals in the process, 92-64.
• Three Tigers are averaging double-digit scoring in Tara Lynch (16.2ppg), Jessica Glaz (14.6ppg) and Cori Okada (11.1ppg).
• Okada leads the team with 36 total assists, adding 14 steals as well.
• Julia Bender, Lynch and Amanda Olsen have been the most aggressive on the glass, grabbing 5.8, 5.2, 5.1 rebounds per game, respectively.
• The Tigers look to build off last season, in which they finished 20-7 overall, including a trip to the Liberty League championship game. 

 
Against RIT All-Time: The Brewers are 8-2 against the Tigers all-time, dating back to their first meeting in 2012. RIT has taken the past two games, beating Vassar in January and February of 2016.
 
A Look At The Herons (6-3):

• William Smith has won five of its past six games, most recently topping Hamilton on Jan. 2, 67-62. The Tigers' lone loss during that span came against No. 8 Wartburg College in the Cruzin Classic championship game in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
• Through nine games last season, the Herons were 3-6 on the season. William Smith ultimately finished the 2015-16 season 10-14 overall and 8-8 in conference play.
• Before William Smith heads to Poughkeepsie, it'll face Bard College on Friday at 6 p.m.
• William Smith has outscored opponents by an average of 2.1 points, 69.4 to 67.3.
• The Herons have shot 40 percent from the floor and 39 percent from three, while opponents have shot 41 and 31 percent, respectively.
• William Smith has outrebounded other teams by a 3.7 margin, 40.6 to 36.9.
• William Smith is first in the conference in steals (11.4spg) and second in scoring offense (69.4ppg) and field goal percentage (.401).
• Three Herons are averaging double-digit scoring in Melanie Patterson (13.9ppg), Mia Morrison (12.6ppg) and Natalie Baum (10.6ppg).
• Patterson is also first on the team in assists per game (3.8) and total steals (25).
• Gabrielle Eure leads the team with 8.0 rebounds per game, while also averaging 8.3 points per contest. 

 
Against William Smith All-Time: The Brewers are 6-32 against the Herons all-time, dating back to their first meeting in 1996. Vassar has taken two of the past three, winning 53-43 on Feb. 14, 2015, losing 74-69 on the road Jan. 13, 2016 and winning 55-50 on Feb. 5, 2016. The home team has won in the past five meetings.
 
Next Up: Vassar wraps up its homestand next week, hosting Bard College on Tuesday, Jan. 10, Clarkson University on Friday, Jan. 13 and St. Lawrence University on Saturday, Jan. 14.