POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 30, 2011) – Spurred by a 17-point first half outburst by sophomore guard Cydni Matsuoka, the Vassar College women's basketball team used two big offensive runs keyed by a trio of guards, to defeat Drew University, 70-42, Wednesday night at the Athletics & Fitness Center.

Vassar's multi-faceted guard attack scored 47 of the teams 70 points, and was responsible for two big runs – one in each half – to produce an impressive victory. At the 11:24 mark of the first half, Vassar went on a 12-2 run that took the Brewers from a slim 12-10 lead to a 24-12 bulge in less than three minutes.  It was Matsuoka's eight points – six coming off back-to-back 3-pointers – that did the most damage and positioned the Brewers nicely for the victory. But there was more stellar guard play to come.

When the visiting Rangers got within eight points at 43-35 midway through the second half, the Brewers knocked off a 10-0 run in another three minute span to put the game out of reach at 53-37 with just under six minutes to play. In that scoring spree, five different Brewers scored, led by the heady play of senior guard Brittany Parks and attacking game of freshman guard Nyah Berg.

The victory improves Vassar to 4-0, while Drew drops to 2-3. Vassar next travels to Hunter College on December 6 for a 7:00 pm game. Drew travels to the Merchant Marine Academy on Saturday for a 4:00 pm game.

Matsuoka, who shot 7-for-10 in the first half, was held scoreless in the second half, finishing with 17 points, but the backcourt tandem of Parks and Berg capably picked up the scoring duties. Parks had 14 of her game-high 18 points in the second half, while Berg tallied 10 of her 12 points in the second stanza.

The Brewers, who shot a solid 49 percent from the field (29-of-59), held Drew to 28 percent from the floor (18-of-63), just 19 percent in the second half (7-of-36), and an 0-14 outing from 3-point distance.

Keyed by Matsuoka, Vassar took a 33-25 lead into halftime. To start the second half, Berg scored six straight points as the Brewers jumped ahead 41-27. With tenacious inside play, the Rangers did claw back into the contest briefly, getting back-to-back baskets from sophomore forward Logan Cavanaugh and sophomore guard Brianna Reich to come within 43-35 with ten minutes remaining.

But Drew would get no closer. Berg, freshman guard Allyson Pemberton, senior forward Kristyn Tempora, freshman forward Colleen O'Connell and Parks all scored during Vassar's 10-0 run. During this span, Drew missed four consecutive shots until a Reich layup ended the drought at 53-37 with 5:45 to play.

Vassar's backcourt scored 47 of the teams 70 points, with Parks scoring 18 points and missing a double-double by one assist, having nine in the contest. O'Connell tallied nine points and set a new season best with 16 rebounds. The Brewers held a 43-34 rebounding advantage. Junior forward Natalie Allen had eight points on a perfect night of shooting from the field and free throw line.

Drew was led by senior guard Danielle Barber with 10 points, nine below her season average. Junior guard Whitney Mackay had a team-high seven rebounds.