SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Playing without two of their top shooting guards, the Union College women's basketball team struggled to find the basket in a 61-47 defeat to Vassar College in Liberty League action on Tuesday night at Viniar Athletic Center.
 
Senior Darby Leid was the lone Dutchwoman in double figures with 11 points, while senior Laura Vinton had a strong effort on the glass with a game-high 12 rebounds to go with seven points for Union (3-7, 1-3 Liberty League). Dani Douglas led three Vassar (6-6, 5-1 Liberty League) players in double figures with a game-high 21 points.
 
Both teams struggled to score in the first quarter, combining to shoot 7-for-32 from the field. Neither team led by more than one possession in the frame, with the teams trading mini-runs before a three by sophomore Maura Conan in the final minutes put the home team up 9-8 after 10 minutes.
 
Union used a 7-0 run to open up a 17-10 lead with 5:42 remaining in the first half, thanks to a Leid three and layups by junior Megan Lee and sophomore Maddy Mandalinci. The advantage grew to eight (20-12) following a Vinton three-pointer with 4:47 to go, and the home team was able to withstand a late surge to take a 24-23 lead into the locker rooms.
 
The tide turned in the third quarter, when Vassar outscored Union 20-9 to take control of the game. Union hung tough early in the quarter and remained ahead 33-29 after a pair of free throws by junior Olivia Pachla with 5:50 left, but Vassar closed with 14 unanswered points to take a 43-33 lead to the fourth. The Brewers kept the run going in the first five minutes of the final frame, using a 15-3 run to extend its lead to 22 and seal the win.
 
Vassar did not shoot well on the night, hitting 20-of-64 shots (31.3 percent) from the field, but Union managed only 26.7 percent (16 of 60) shooting at the other end. Despite holding a 52-42 edge in rebounding, Union was done in by 23 turnovers that the Brewers turned into 30 points.
 
Union will spend the next three weeks on the road, kicking off a six-game road swing on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Rochester Institute of Technology.