POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -  The Vassar women's basketball team outscored the visiting Herons 36-32 in the second half, but a 23-point second quarter gave William Smith the edge for the 70-67 win on Friday night at the AFC. Isa Peczuh (Willington, CT) led Vassar with 23 points behind 8-of-15 shooting.
 
William Smith moves to 16-7 overall and 12-5 in the conference and clinches the fourth seed in the Liberty League playoffs. Meanwhile, Vassar moves to 20-4 and 14-3 in the conference and is currently tied with Ithaca for the top seed. The outcome of tomorrow's game determines the final seedings.
 
After a three from Sophie Nick (Denver, Co) put the Brewers up 14-8 at 2:58, the Herons went on a 7-2 run until the final minute of the quarter. Ryan DeOrio (Collegeville, PA) then split the William Smith defense and connected for the mid-range jumper to give Vassar an 18-15 edge heading into the second.
 
A few back-and-forth baskets started the second quarter. Nick sank a jumper at 8:09 to set the score 20-19, but Mia Morrison made two-straight three-pointers to spur a 10-0 run that put the Herons up 29-20 at 4:33. Nick got Vassar back on the board by hitting a pair of free throws and Peczuh sank another trey to cut William Smith's lead to 31-25 at 3:21. A three-pointer from Nick at 1:03 made it a three-point contest, but the Herons closed strong with four points in the final seconds to make it a 38-31 game at the half.
 
William Smith took its largest lead at 10 points in the third when Morrison scored inside, making it 48-38 at 3:49. DeOrio began to spark the offense after making a steal and drawing a foul for a pair of free throws. In the final second of the quarter, she sank a layup and drew a foul for the three-point play to make it a 54-49 game.
 
The Herons came out strong again, with Morrison scoring the opening five points to make it a 10-point game again. A Nick triple rallied a 9-1 Vassar run to lessen the deficit to 60-58. With two seconds left on the clock, Peczuh stole the ball and made the breakaway layup to make it a one-point game. Having to force the foul, the Herons connected on both free throws to hang on for the 70-67 win.
 
DeOrio finished with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists. Nick had her 12^th double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. She also had four assists.
 
Morrison had 36 points and 16 rebounds for the Herons, while Stavriana Dimitrakopoulou finished with 13.
 
The Brewers are back home tomorrow afternoon for Senior Day against Ithaca. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at the AFC.