POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 3, 2012) -- In a clash for fourth place in the Liberty League, sophomore guard Cydni Matsuoka's buzzer-beater in overtime lifted the Vassar College women's basketball team to a 67-65 win over Skidmore College on Friday at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

With seconds left in the first overtime period, Matsuoka grabbed a rebound and raced up-court, swishing a jumper from the left side as time expired in the first overtime period. Vassar led 61-57 with 39 seconds left in regulation, but Skidmore's Megan Gaugler and Angela Botiba scored the next four points to force the 14th tie of the game at 61-61 and send it to overtime.

The Brewers (11-7, 5-4) take control of fourth place in the Liberty League and host Union College on Saturday, February 3, at 2:00 p.m. at the Athletics and Fitness Center. The program will hold its alumnae game on Saturday at 9:45 a.m. and honor its alumnae at halftime. There will be an NCAA banner-raising ceremony prior to the game. The Thoroughbreds (11-7, 4-5) travel to Bard College for a 2:00 contest on Saturday.

In overtime, Vassar took the lead 63-61 on a layup by senior Kristyn Tempora but Botiba evened the score on the following possession with a driving layup. Vassar took a 65-63 lead on the ensuing possession with a finish inside by sophomore Hannah Sentfleber. Skidmore tied the game once more at 65-65 with 2:16 to play on a layup by Jessie Kavana, and a lull in scoring set up Matsuoka's heroics. 

In a frenetic second half with five lead changes and six ties, Vassar took control with a 5-0 run in the final minute on a pair of free throws by Senftleber and a triple by Matsuoka for a 61-57 lead. Botiba's layup with 13 seconds forced overtime as Vassar was unable to convert on the final possession of regulation.

The first half featured eight ties yet only one lead change as Colleen O'Connell evened the score at 27-27 with a pair of free throws with one second remaining.

For Vassar, Senftleber posted a pair of game highs with 21 points and nine rebounds. Parks matched her season high with 20 points, adding eight rebounds. Matsuoka finished with a clutch 12 points. Tempora posted a game-high six assists.

For Skidmore, four players reached double digits in scoring, led by Kavana with 16 points. Christina Gargiso tallied 15 points and nine boards. Gaugler and Jordyn Wartts had 12 points apiece.