POUGHKEEPSIE, NY –  Despite climbing back into the game several times, the Union College women's basketball team fell to Vassar, 72-45 this afternoon.

Today's loss gives Union a 3-10 record within the Liberty League, along with a 6-13 record overall. 

With four minutes left in the first quarter, Union found themselves down 11-0, but thanks to two Union free-throws the Dutch got on the board, settling the score at 11-2.

Joana Santos later drained a finger-roll layup to cut the deficit to 4-19, in favor of Vassar. While guard IreLee Ferguson hit a three with less than a minute to go in the first quarter, Union would end the first down 21-9. The Dutchwomen's turnovers and quick ball movement by Vassar were a huge factor to the early Brewer lead.

Ferguson later hit a three from the corner, midway through the second quarter to cut the Vassar lead to just 10. Jenni Barra stutter-stepped on a Vassar defender and pulled up for a jumper that brought the score to 21-28 with four minutes remaining in the half. Union ended the half down 25-35.

The Dutchwomen eventually found their offensive rhythm, after starting the game down 11-0, in large part due to Ferguson's play during the first half. She led Union in first-half points (10), and shot 43-percent from the field while shooting 66-percent from the three-point line.

While Vassar once again began to pull away, as a result of Union turnovers and effective offensive movement, Union cut the deficit back down to 10, courtesy of a Santos three-pointer. The 10-point spread was the closest Union got, however, as Vassar shot effectively towards the end of the third quarter, the team grew its lead to 51-34 to start the final quarter.

Four minutes into the fourth quarter, Lily Abarbanel drove down the lane and hit a contested layup between two Vassar defenders. Her subsequent foul shot brought the game to 38-59. Although the effort was to no avail, as Vassar continued to pour on the points en route to a 72-45 victory.

Union returns to the Viniar Athletic Center for a midweek contest to face Bard College on Feb. 6 for a 6 p.m. (ET) tip off in Schenectady, NY.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Santos led Union in points (14), efficiency (10.0), and was second in rebounds (3).
• Barra was second in points (11), and led the Dutch in rebounds (4).
• Abarbanel finished tied second in rebounds (3), led Union in assists (2), and was Union's fourth-leading scorer with 9 points.