Brewers Power Past Clarkson University, 91-47

By Amie Canfield

POUGHKEEPSIE – Powered by three season-high efforts, including a career-high nine assists from sophomore Sarah Gillooly, the Vassar College women’s basketball team defeated Clarkson University, 91-47, in Liberty League action on Saturday afternoon. The win moves the Brewers to 8-4 with a 4-1 conference mark. The Golden Knights slip to 5-7 with a 1-4 mark in the Liberty League.

Senior center Sophie Nick paced the offensive effort for the Brewers, notching a season and game-high 22 points with a game-best 12 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double. Gillooly, fresh off a career-high 14 points in last night’s win over St. Lawrence, added six points and three rebounds in addition to her career-best nine assists.

Additionally, senior guard Isa Peczuh added 15 points, while classmate and forward Jackie Cenan and freshman guard Emily Tincher each had 10 points. Cenan posted a game-high four steals, while Tincher led all players with three blocks.

For Clarkson, sophomore forward Lauren Bell led the way with team-high’s in both points and rebounds with nine and eight, respectively. Freshman guard Mariah Benavides added eight points, while junior guard Emma Buonanno also had eight points with five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Sophomore forward Maddie Pratt added four points, five rebounds and a team-high two blocks.

The Brewers, who owned a 46-19 lead after the opening two quarters, continued to press into the third frame. Behind a three-pointer from Peczuh, VC pushed the advantage to 30 (53-23) with 7:54 to play. A layup by Nick made it a 32-point edge at the mid-point, while back-to-back three’s from Peczuh and Nick expanded the lead to 65-27 with 3:33 remaining.
A trey from junior guard Hannah Earl, combined with a jumper from freshman forward Elaina Porter helped Clarkson cut the deficit to 67-35 heading into the final quarter of play.

The Golden Knights, behind a jumper from Pratt and five points from Benavides, pulled the score back to a 33-point lead (75-42) with 6:38 to play, but a Fastbreak jumper from Cenan put the Brewers up 82-42 as Vassar played solid defense for the win.

Vassar shot 59.1% (39-66) for the contest, while holding Clarkson to just 32.3% (20-62).

The Brewers also held a 44-30 rebounding margin for the contest and a 24-6 edge in assists.

Both teams return to action next Friday at 5:30pm. Vassar travels to William Smith, while the Golden Knights will host Skidmore.