CANTON – Three Brewers scored 15 points as the Vassar College women’s basketball team (10-2, 4-1 Liberty) earned its seventh straight win on Saturday afternoon. Jackie Cenan, Ryan DeOrio and Isa Peczuh led the Brewers with 15 points apiece in the 71-63 victory over Liberty League foe St. Lawrence (6-6, 3-2 Liberty) at Ronald T. Burkman Gymnasium.
Additionally, Cenan and Peczuh notched two assists, and DeOrio had one. Sophie Nick, Maddie Leong and Sarah Gillooly put up 12, eight and four points respectively. Cenan lead Vassar defensively with seven rebounds and two steals, while Nick grabbed seven boards. Overall, the Brewers went 12-for-14 (85.7 percent) at the foul line and 5-for-11 (45.5 percent) from three-point land.
The Saints opened the game with a quick 9-2 lead over the Brewers. However, a foul by St. Lawrence’s Erin Kumler opened the door for Brewer possession. The Saints would trail the rest of the game.
Peczuh sank a three-pointer, then DeOrio’s steal and fast break jumper, followed by a Cenan steal and feed to DeOrio tied the game at 9-9, forcing a St. Lawrence timeout with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Brewers and the Saints would take turns trading the lead before closing the first quarter on a Cenan jumper 21-18 in favor of Vassar.
Momentum was in the Brewers’ favor, as they began the second quarter on an 11-2 run which included two Nick fast break buckets. St. Lawrence continued to fight, though, and kept the quarter within five points. With 1:43 left, the Brewers widened the gap offensively with two Lexi Mousley free throws and a defensive rebound by DeOrio followed with a layup. The first half concluded with Vassar leading 40-33.
After halftime, the Saints put up shots to try and lessen the gap, however the Brewers’ lead remained. St. Lawrence closed the gap to six, though a Nick layup, St. Lawrence turnover and a DeOrio three-pointer widened the margin to 54-43.
In the final quarter, the Brewers remained dominant, maintaining their lead. Cenan and Peczuh each put up four points, while DeOrio, Leong and Nick all scored two to finish the game.
St. Lawrence’s Katie Frederick and Annabella Pugliese scored 20 and 14 points respectively. Dylan Watkiss distributed six helpers. Frederick also grabbed 15 defensive rebounds to complete a double-double.
Vassar returns home on Friday for a 5 p.m. matchup with Liberty League adversary RPI.