POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Powered by double-digit efforts from three players, the Vassar women's basketball team posted a 71-64 victory over Ithaca College in the Liberty League opener for both squads. The Brewers are now 1-5 overall and 1-0 in league play, while the Bombers move to 4-2 and 0-1 in the Liberty League. Friday's victory for Vassar was not only the first of the year for the Brewers, but also the first collegiate victory for first-year head coach Anthony Mason.

Holding a 34-21 lead after the opening two quarters, Vassar headed into the third attempting to hold off a quick shooting Bombers team. Behind three buckets from senior forward Lindsey Albertelli, Ithaca pulled it to within seven (36-29) at the 7:57 mark. A three-pointer less than a minute later from junior guard Camryn Coffey closed the gap to 40-36 and another Albertelli jumper made it a two-point game with 4:30 to play in the frame.

Vassar rebounded as junior guard Emily Tincher laid down a three-pointer of her own, while rookie guard Julia Harvey sank a layup to build it back to seven (45-38) at 3:51. The two teams continued to battle as Ithaca kept it close with a pair of free throws from graduate student guard Grace Cannon sending the teams into the fourth with Vassar up 49-47.

Fourth quarter action opened with a bang as a three from Cannon, coupled with a jumper from Albertelli sent Ithaca ahead by a 52-49 margin early. A trey outside from junior guard Ashley Hansen tied the game and a Harvey layup in the paint, followed by a Hansen jumper put the home team back up by four (56-52) with 6:40 to go.

The Brewers continued to hold the line, staying ahead by a one-point margin until a three-pointer from Tincher opened the advantage back to 66-62 with 2:08 left on the clock. A jumper from junior guard Natalie Smith pulled the Bombers to within two (66-64), but the Brewers took advantage at the free throw line, sinking five of their seven chances at the line to seal the victory.

It was Vassar that opened the game hot, going on an 8-0 run to open first quarter action. A jumper from Ithaca's Melissa Buxton closed it to a four-point deficit for the visitors, but the Brewers countered late behind a layup and one from junior guard Alex Lee and a three-pointer from rookie guard Tash Thompson.

The Brewers maintained that edge in the second quarter as a jumper from senior guard Sarah Gillooly made it a 12-point edge (26-14) with 5:29 to play. Four free throws from Cannon cut the lead to five (26-21), but five of the final seven points from Gillooly helped send the Brewers into halftime with the 13-point lead.

Leading the Brewers was Tincher, who posted 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the floor and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. She also added three rebounds, a block and a game-best five steals. Harvey notched 12 points, adding five boards with four steals, while Gillooly laid down 11 points, including four rebounds, a game-best six assists and three steals.

Cannon led all players in the contest with 21 points on the evening, adding nine rebounds with three assists and a steal. Albertelli had 16 points with four boards, an assist, a block and a steal, while senior guard Cara Volpe had a game-high 12 rebounds, including seven offensive.

Both teams return to action on Saturday as Vassar welcomes William Smith, while Ithaca heads to Bard. Both contests begin at 2pm.