CANTON, NY – It was a career night for the Vassar women's basketball team, which posted a 74-61 victory at St. Lawrence University, in Liberty League action on Friday. The Brewers saw senior captain Sarah Gillooly record a career-and-game high 25 points, while junior Emily Tincher posted a career-high seven blocks.

Vassar – which has now won its last six games - moves to 11-6 on the season and remains in first-place in the league standings at 10-1. The Saints shouldered just their second loss of the season, dropping to 15-2 overall with a 9-2 mark in the Liberty League.

In addition to her career-high point total, Gillooly dropped in six rebounds with an assist and two steals. Rookie Julia Harvey added 18 points with a team-best eight boards to go along with an assist and three steals, while junior captain Eliza Srinivasan added 10 points with four caroms, three assists, a block and a steal. Tincher stole the show defensively with her seven blocks. Her effort tied for fifth all-time in a game – in addition to being a career-high.

For the Saints, Ava McCann paced the way with 20 points, including a 6-for-13 effort from three. Olivia Middleton added 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Dylan Watkiss dropped in 10 points with a game-best four assists. Nicole Jeffrey led all players with 14 rebounds on the night.

First quarter action saw the Saints open up an 8-3 advantage at 5:58, powered by a pair of three-pointers from Ava McCann. A seven-point run for the Brewers, powered by a jumper and a free throw make by junior Emily Tincher, gave the visitors a 10-9 edge with 4:23 left in the frame.  

The two teams continued to trade baskets over the final minutes as a layup from senior Dani Douglas was countered on the Saints end by Olivia Middleton to make it a 16-13 margin in favor of Vassar. The Brewers once again took advantage at the free throw line with Gillooly sinking both attempts for a five-point edge (18-13) that carried over into the second quarter.

Second stanza action got off to a slow start but following a free throw from VC junior Eliza Srinivasan and a Nicole Jeffrey bucket for the Saints, Brewers rookie Julia Harvey dropped in a three for a 22-15 lead. Another Jeffrey bucket at 8:04 closed the margin to five (22-17).

Back-to-back three-pointers from McCann tied the game at 24-all with 5:45 remaining, but Gillooly converted a three of her own on the next possession and the Brewers saw Harvey drop in a jumper seconds later to push the margin back to five (29-24) in Vassar's favor.

The Saints continued to keep things close, finally converting as McCann dropped in another three, turning the lead in the home team's favor (33-31) with 2:50 to play. Tied 33-all at 1:31 following a Harvey bucket, Gillooly dropped in four points as the Brewers went back up 37-35 and held the margin into the intermission.

In the third quarter, a 6-0 run on three straight buckets from Gillooly helped push Vassar back to a 43-37 lead at 8:03. The Saints closed in once again as Stella Davis converted at the line, but a Harvey layup – plus the And-1 – saw Vassar push its lead back to four (48-44) at 5:57.

That stellar play continued as a Harvey three, coupled with another shot from the outside by rookie Tova Gelb gave the Brewers a 10-point advantage (54-44) with 4:05 remaining in the third. Back-to-back layups from Middleton in addition to a Cam Roberts layup made it a two-point (57-55) margin heading into the final quarter of play.

Fourth quarter action saw back-to-back three's from junior Alex Lee and Srinivasan pushed the edge to seven (66-59) with 8:05 to go. The Brewers continued to dominate, opening a 13-point (72-59) edge as free throw makes by Douglas and Harvey, coupled with a layup by Gillooly – her career-high 25th point.

The Brewers continued their dominance throughout the remainder of the fourth stanza, holding the Saints to just six points in the frame. Vassar was aided by the stellar defense of Tincher, who recorded three blocks in the frame to finish with the career-high margin.

Both teams return to the court on Saturday as Vassar heads to Clarkson, while St. Lawrence hosts Bard. Tip-off for both contests is set for 2pm.