Fourth Quarter Battle Propels Vassar Past Clarkson

By Amie Canfield

POTSDAM – It was a down-to-the-wire battle in the North Country as the Vassar College women’s basketball team held off Clarkson University, 62-59 in Liberty League action on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Brewers extended their winning streak to seven games and are now 12-6 overall and 11-1 in league play. The Golden Knights fall to 5-13 with a 4-8 mark in the Liberty League.

It was a back-and-forth battle for much of the second half of action as the Golden Knights clinged to a 47-46 lead after the third quarter. Heading into the final frame, the Brewers regained the advantage as a three-pointer from senior captain Dani Douglas dropped in for a 49-47 lead early in the stanza.

Clarkson quickly rallied as back-to-back buckets from Lauren Bell and Mariah Benavides saw the home team once again take the lead (51-49) with 8:19 to play. Junior Emily Tincher pushed Vassar back into the lead with a three and the visitors extended their advantage to 54-51 on a jumper by junior captain Eliza Srinivasan, but once again, the Knights rallied.

An inside layup by Lauryn Withrow made it a one-point game at the 4:49 mark, but a jumper from rookie Julia Harvey a minute later extended the lead once again (58-55). Clarkson’s Ruthie Nolan once again pulled it to a one-point margin with 2:34 on the clock, but a Tincher layup at 2:19 cushioned the Brewers once again at 60-57.

Another Clarkson shot brought the margin back to one (60-59) and the two teams continued to battle down the stretch. With 28 seconds left on the clock, Harvey attempted a three-pointer, but the ensuing jump ball off the rebound went in favor of Clarkson. The Knights took the ball down the court, but a turnover with nine seconds remaining, followed by an untimely foul sent senior captain Sarah Gillooly to the line. She hit both to once again open a three-point margin (62-59) with four seconds on the clock.

Clarkson held possession as Cassidy Dumont tried for the three, but the shot rolled off the hoop and out. Despite grabbing the offensive board, the Golden Knights were unable to convert in the final second despite another three point shot attempt that fell just short as Vassar held on for victory.

Gillooly once again led the way for the Brewers, dropping in 13 points and four rebounds. She added a team-high three assists and a steal. Harvey added 12 points with three boards and a team-best three steals, while junior Alex Lee posted 11 points. Tincher rounded out the double-figure efforts for Vassar, dropping in 10 points with five rebounds, a block, two steals and assist.

Clarkson was paced by Dumont, who recorded a game-best 14 points, including nine rebounds and a game-high four assists. Lauryn Withrow added 13 points, while Benavides chipped in with 11 points and a game-best four steals. Bell added 10 points, while Nolan recorded a game-high 16 rebounds.