Late Comeback Leads Vassar Past Clarkson, 58-53

By Amie Canfield

POUGHKEEPSIE – Powered by a huge fourth quarter comeback, the Vassar College women’s basketball team defeated Clarkson University, 58-53 on Friday afternoon in Liberty League action. The victory moves the Brewers to 5-5 on the season – remaining perfect in league play at 4-0. The Golden Knights are now 1-9 with an 0-4 record in the Liberty League.

The Brewers headed into the fourth quarter facing a 44-30 deficit, but that margin was quickly erased as a jumper from senior Sarah Gillooly at 9:11, was quickly followed by a layup from rookie Julia Harvey to make it a 10-point (44-34) game. Vassar finally found its mojo at the arc as junior Eliza Srinivasan drained a shot from downtown to narrow the gap to 44-37 at 8:08.

It was a three-point clinic from there as junior Alex Lee sank one, followed by a shot by senior Dani Douglas to close the deficit to one (44-43) with 7:20 left to play. A jumper from junior Mariah Benavides helped Clarkson back to a three-point advantage, and a trey from freshman Ruthie Nolan pushed the margin to six (49-43), but back-to-back three’s from rookie Tova Gelb and Srinivasan tied the game at 49-all with 4:31 on the clock.

Another Benavides layup pushed it back to a two-point edge for the visitors, but a free throw from Gillooly, coupled with a Douglas three-pointer with 56 seconds to go, pushed the Brewers into a lead (53-51) they would not relinquish. Gillooly drained a pair of free throws and a bucket from Gelb helped seal it up as Vassar battled back for the victory.

Clarkson played solid defense in the opening half, holding the Brewers to just 14 points for a 25-14 lead after the opening quarters. Third quarter action saw the Golden Knights post a narrow scoring margin of 17-16 before Vassar came alive in the final frame.

Leading the way for the Brewers was Gelb, who came off the bench to record a game-high 17 points, going 7-of-9 from the floor and 2-3 from three-point range. She also added seven rebounds, an assist and two steals. Douglas added 13 points, dropping in three steals, while Srinivasan had 11 points. She also posted a squad-best nine rebounds and four assists with three steals. Harvey paced all players with five steals on the evening.

For the Golden Knights, senior Lauren Bell dropped in 14 points, going a near-perfect 7-of-8 from the floor. She also recorded a game-best 12 rebounds and two blocks. Nolan added 11 points with 10 rebounds to complete the double-double, while rookie Cassidy Dumont had 11 points with four boards, two assists and two steals.