Vassar Topples Pomona-Pitzer, Now 5-1 Overall

CLAREMONT, CA – Julia Harvey was one of three Brewers to score in double-figures and equaled a season-high with a game-high 23 points as the Vassar College Women’s Basketball team scored 46 second half points on its way to a 74-56 victory over Pomona-Pitzer to close out the David Wells Classic.

Saturday’s victory is Vassar’s fourth straight and pushes it to 5-1 overall on the season, while the Sagehens slip to 2-4 overall on the year through six contests.

First Half
Both teams struggled to find their footing offensively, combining for just 19 points in the opening 10 minutes.

Vassar shot just 26.7-percent from the floor in the first quarter with Pomona-Pitzer converting at just 21.4-percent.

The opening stanza featured eight lead changes with the Brewers taking a 10-9 lead on a Harvey three-pointer with 1:35 left in quarter.

After being held under 30-percent shooting in the first quarter, Vassar improved to 58.9-percent shooting in the second frame, including a 4-for-6 mark from behind the arc.

The Brewers fell behind by as many as four points early in the quarter, but used a 13-4 surge capped by a Mo Regan triple to grab a 23-18 lead with 3:44 left before halftime.

The Brewers would not surrender the lead the rest of the night and carried a 28-24 lead into the intermission following a Tova Gelb bucket with 32 seconds left in the second quarter.

Vassar shot 40.7-percent overall in the first half and went 6-for-11 from three-point range.
Pomona-Pitzer was held to 36-percent shooting and a 4-for-14 effort from three-point range.

Gelb led Vassar in the first half with 10 points.

Emily Lee led all scorers at halftime with 12 points for the Sagehens.

Second Half
After scoring 28 points over the first two quarters of the game, Vassar erupted for 28 points in the third period alone.

The Brewers converted at 61.1-percent overall in the third frame and knocked down five of its eight three-point field goal attempts.

Vassar scored the first eight points of the second half, including six straight points from Harvey, to surge in front 36-24 just two minutes into the third quarter.

The Brewers spread their lead to 42-28 on a Harvey three-pointer with 7:06 left in the third.

Pomona-Pitzer responded with a 13-2 run, including a Katie Drais three-pointer, to slice its disadvantage to 44-41 with 3:34 left in the period.

Another Drais triple brought the Sagehens to within 46-44 before Vassar closed the frame with a 10-3 spurt, capped by a Sierra McDermed three-pointer in the closing seconds to give the Brewers a 56-47 lead.

Vassar began the final quarter with the first seven points, five coming from Harvey, to open a 63-47 advantage.

The Vassar lead would not slip below 11 points the rest of the way and grew to a game-high 18 points twice in the final 2:51.

A Naiya Kurnik layup gave the Brewers a 72-54 lead and a Sam Ledermen bucket in the final half minute gave the Brewers the final 74-56 lead.

Vassar shot an efficient 55.9-percent from the floor in the second half and went 6-for-14 from three-point range.

Pomona-Pitzer was held to 30.3-percent shooting after halftime with six of its 10 made field goals coming from behind the arc.

Harvey scored 17 points after the break on 7-for-10 shooting.

Jadyn Lee led the Sagehens with 13 points in the second half.

For The Brewers
Harvey matched her season-high scoring total on 9-for-14 shooting overall and a 4-for-6 mark from behind the arc. Harvey added four rebounds and a steal in the victory.

Gelb finished off a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with a pair of steals.

McDermed scored in double-figures for the fourth straight game with 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting and a perfect 3-for-3 mark from long distance. McDermed added six rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot.

Bella Tawney led the Brewers with four assists, adding a steal.

Kurnik finished with six points, five rebounds and three assists.

For The Sagehens
J. Lee paced three in double-figures with a team-high 20 points on the strength of 4-for-5 shooting from three-point range. Lee added three assists in the contest.

E. Lee chipped in 14 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Abigail Homan grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and contributed 10 points.

Kellie Au handed out four assists and collected five rebounds.

Vassar opens Liberty League play on December 1 at home against Ithaca.