POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 3, 2017) — Despite a monster third quarter, the Vassar College women's basketball team (9-11, 6-5 Liberty) fell to Union College (10-8, 6-4 Liberty) at the Athletics & Fitness Center on Friday, 56-51. 

"I think we did a lot of things correctly, but made one too many mistakes," coach Candice Brown said. "The name of the game in basketball is to put the ball in the basket, and we just couldn't do it tonight."

The Brewers trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half before using an 18-2 run in the third quarter to get ahead. But the Dutchwomen reclaimed their lead in the final frame for their fourth win in five games.

Sophie Nick and Nicole Teta led the Brewers with 10 points apiece. The duo also led VC in rebounds with eight and seven respective boards. 

The Brewers shot 27 percent from the floor and 22 percent (5-of-23) from distance, while their visitors shot 44 and 27 percent (4-of-15), respectively.

Sophie Borg paced the Dutchwomen in points (19), rebounds (10) and steals (4), while Jenni Barra added 11 points and four boards. 

The contest opened with four quick lead changes before Union bridged a 15-4 run over the first and second quarters. 

Jackie Cenan and Isa Peczuh broke up the surge with layups for the Brewers, while Nicole Conley sparked and capped it with triples, as the Dutchwomen took a 24-14 advantage about midway through the second period.

Maddie Leonge halted Union's first-half burst with a floater, and the sides exchanged baskets the rest of the half before the Dutchwomen carried a 32-23 lead into the break.  

The third quarter belonged to the Brewers, as they outscored their visitors 18-6 in the period. Teta and Samarah Cook got the Brewer offense rolling with back-to-back triples, while Nick fueled it with eight points. 

"We changed the offense (in the third quarter) and got some ball movement," Brown said. "We were able to get key looks and put the ball in the basket. We tried to keep it going, but with the open looks that we got, we just couldn't find the bottom of the net.

While the Brewers found their offense in the third, the Dutchwomen reestablished their stride in the fourth. Following Ariella Rosenthal's period-opening jumper, Union used a 15-5 run to reclaim the lead, 53-48. 

Borg flipped the lead with a layup, 48-46, before icing the game with three free throws in the waning seconds.  

The Brewers return to the hardwood, hosting Skidmore College at the Athletics & Fitness Center on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.

—VASSAR—