POUGHKEEPSIE, NY -- The Union women's basketball team forced Vassar to shoot just 21%, and the Brewers made three of 13 three point attempts as the visiting Dutchwomen downed Vassar, 47-35 Friday night. It was the lowest point total by a Union opponent since a 55-27 Dutchwomen win vs. Old Westbury at the Lehman Tournament on December 29, 2005, a span of 61 games.
Union improved to 9-7 overall and evened the Liberty League record to 3-3. Vassar fell to 4-10 overall and 0-6 in league play.
Junior guard Maria Tobin (Schenectady, NY) led all Dutchwomen with 14 points while senior captain Devon Ciliberto (New Paltz, NY) had nine points and eight rebounds. Michelle Rogers (Clarence, NY) and Rachel Ormsby (Charlton, NY) had eight rebounds each for Union, which shot 36% for the contest and forced 22 turnovers.
Emily Haeuser led all players with 17 points and three steals for the Brewers, and she also pulled down seven rebounds. Emma Carmichael had a game best 11 boards for the hosts, which had a 42-39 rebounding advantage.
The Brewers were unable to put the ball in the basket in the first eight minutes of play, allowing Union to build a 7-0 lead. Vassar sophomore Ashley Sherman finally sank a three-ball at the 12:16 mark to jumpstart the home team's offense. However, Union was able to establish a 26-14 lead by halftime. Ciliberto scored 7 of her 9 points in the first 10 minutes of play to lead Union's offensive charge.
In the second half, Vassar made a number of threats against the Union lead and ultimately tied their opponents in the period, 21-21. The Brewers were able to feed the ball into their standout sophomore forward, Haueser, who scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in the second period. But Union's balanced scoring attack and pressure defense, which picked off ten Vassar passes throughout the game, eventually held the Brewers at bay.
Union held Vassar to 14 points in the first half and had a 12 point lead entering the break. Both teams combined to shoot just 20 total free throws, and Union was six for eight from the charity stripe.
The Dutchwomen play at RPI Saturday at 2 p.m.
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