The Brewers (4-4), who were playing their first game since defeating St. Joseph's (CT) 58-49 in the 5th place game of the Seven Sisters Tournament on December 4, 2005, will face No. 14 ranked Wheaton (Ill.) College Friday afternoon in their second game of the tournament.
The host Poets held a 34-27 halftime lead after jumping out to a quick 9-2 lead on Vassar.
Whittier, which held VC to 40.9 percent shooting in the first half, built a 31-19 lead with 2:28 to play in the first half. The Brewers were able to score seven straight points on baskets by senior Natalie Serkowski, a 3-pointer by sophomore Melissa Jones and two free throws by junior Lauren Rucker, to close the Whittier gap to 31-27 before a late 3-pointer by the Poet's Michelle Araw put the hosts up 34-27.
In the second half, Vassar battled furiously, getting within three points late in the game, but could never overcome Whiitier. A jumper by Cerlen cut the Whittier margin to 43-41 with 14:07 to play, but the Poets went on a 7-2 run to extend the lead to 50-43.
Vassar got within three points when a Cerlen jumper made the score 58-55 with 4:02 remaining, but Whittier withstood the challenge and limited the Brewers to just three points – a three-pointer by junior Lizzie Evans – for the final 4:02 of the game, while outscoring VC 7-3 during that stretch.
Whittier placed three players in double figures, led by Michelle Mascoto's 18 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, Arraw’s 15 points and 11 from Desiree Flores.
Whittier will play William Smith in its second game of the Tournament.
Vassar College vs Whittier College 1/05/06 2:00 at Whittier College At Whittier College WHITTIER COLLEGE 65, VASSAR COLLEGE 58 VASSAR COLLEGE (3-5) Meredith McGair 5-9 2-2 12; Rachel Cerlen 6-10 0-0 12; Sarah Ames 4-6 1-2 9; Erin Harper 2-3 3-4 7; Natalie Serkowski 2-6 2-5 6; Lizzie Evans 2-9 0-0 5; Melissa Jones 1-4 0-0 3; Lauren Rucker 0-0 2-2 2; Bridget Meade 0-1 1-2 1; Chelsea Katzenberg 0-1 1-2 1; Alison McSheehy 0-3 0-0 0; Elise Okosami 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-52 12-19 58. WHITTIER COLLEGE (3-7) Mascoto, Michelle 7-9 3-5 18; Araw, Michelle 4-9 5-5 15; Flores, Desiree 4-9 1-2 11; Waters, Chaznae 3-10 1-2 7; Wingo, Megan 3-8 0-0 6; Vigil, Marissa 2-4 0-0 5; Allen, Dana 1-4 0-4 2; Rainville, Christa 0-1 1-2 1; Galeana, Mayra 0-0 0-0 0; Toft, Eliana 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 24-56 11-20 65. Vassar College................ 27 31 - 58 Whittier College.............. 34 31 - 65 3-point goals-Vassar College 2-13 (Lizzie Evans 1-5; Melissa Jones 1-2; Natalie Serkowski 0-2; Alison McSheehy 0-3; Meredith McGair 0-1), Whittier College 6-12 (Araw, Michelle 2-4; Flores, Desiree 2-4; Vigil, Marissa 1-1; Mascoto, Michelle 1-3). Fouled out--Vassar College-Lizzie Evans, Whittier College-None. Rebounds-Vassar College 32 (Rachel Cerlen 9), Whittier College 38 (Mascoto, Michelle 14). Assists-Vassar College 16 (Erin Harper 9), Whittier College 16 (Mascoto, Michelle 7). Total fouls-Vassar College 13, Whittier College 14.