ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A historic 16-game winning came to an end on Friday evening at Clarks Gym. A strong defensive RIT team held Vassar to 11.8 percent from three-point range, while causing 18 turnovers en route to beating the Brewers 72-58. Junior
Jackie Cenan (Laguna Beach, CA) led Vassar with 17 points, adding a team-high five assists and two steals.
RIT (15-6, 10-4 Liberty) set the tone early, jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the first 30 seconds of play. The Brewers (19-3, 13-2) responded quickly though, scoring 12 unanswered. Some back-and-forth baskets tied the game 18-18 at 2:51, but Vassar pulled away for the 22-20 first quarter lead.
The second quarter was the closest part of the game, with the lead never being more than six. After Sabrina Wolfe split free throws, the Tigers were up 27-23 at 6:48.
Skylar Schmid (Natick, MA) made an inside jumper to start a 9-0 Brewers run.
Ryan DeOrio (Collegeville, PA) sank a jumper, and
Maddie Leong (Atascadero, CA), Cenan and
Sophie Nick (Denver, CO) scored to take the 33-27 lead. But, RIT finished the quarter strong this time, closing 6-0 to tie the game 33-33 at the half.
Action remained close in the third, with both sides trading leads. Stanley Brooke and Wolfe made layups to take a 37-33 lead at 9:13, but
Isa Peczuh (Willington, CT) then scored six of the next eight Vassar points to take a 41-37 lead. After Cenan put the Brewers up six at 2:52, the Tigers took a timeout. Wolfe then scored four straight, with Vassar still holding a 49-47 lead heading into the fourth.
The Tigers' defense shut down the Brewers, holding Vassar to nine points, while RIT had 25. Leong made a layup at 9:16 to give Vassar the 51-49 advantage, but that was its last of the night. After Wolfe made a pair of free throws, the Tigers began to pull away. Cori Okada pushed the lead to six at 6:42, and then after Cenan made a foul shot, Brooke responded with a jumper to put RIT up 65-56. The Brewers began to foul, but RIT made the shots and held on for the win
Nick added 16 points and 12 rebounds for her 11
th double-double of the season. Peczuh had nine points. Leong grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds. RIT was led by Stanley with 23 points and Wolfe at 21 points and 13 rebounds. Okada added 16 for the Tigers.
Vassar plays RPI tomorrow afternoon. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
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