SALEM, MA (December 29, 2015) – Senior Caitlin Drakeley (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug) and sophomore Ariella Rosenthal (Mill Valley, CA/Redwood) each scored 15 points to lead the Vassar College women's basketball team to a 66-49 win over host Salem State University in day one of the Salem State Holiday Classic.

Vassar (2-5) used a 19-4 second quarter to take a 36-20 lead into half, as Drakeley posted 11 first-half points to pace the Brewers. In that second quarter, VC allowed just two field goals including one made jumper over the final 9:45 of the first half.

The host Vikings (3-7) came out of the gates quick in the opening 2:55 of the second half, scoring the first 12 points of the third period to trim VC's lead to four at 36-32. The Brewers responded with a run of their own, scoring the next 11 points capped by a free throw by newcomer Maddie Leong (Altascadero, CA/Altascadero).

The Brewers continued to build on their lead, taking the contest's largest advantage of 21 with 4:21 to play in regulation on a layup by Rosenthal. The final four minutes saw freshman Maeve Sussman (Needham, MA/Needham) score all seven of her points, including nailing a triple, to put the game away for Vassar.

Drakeley was 7-of-15 on the night, grabbing seven boards as well, while Rosenthal pulled down a game-high eight caroms to go with her point total. Senior Rose Serafini (Milton, ON/Milton Area) added 11 points, five boards and two blocks, while freshmanNicole Teta (Maspeth, NY/Archbishop Molloy), who was sporting No. 15 Tuesday instead of her accustomed No. 4, scored five points, pulled down seven boards and dished out three assists.

Senior point guard Alex Moon (Mission Hills, CA/Bishop Alemany) had a solid all-around game in her first start of the season, playing 31 minutes while posting four points, six boards and a team-best five helpers. VC connected on 34.7 percent (26-75) from the floor Tuesday, making three of its eight attempts from behind the arc. Rebounding was also key to VC's win, as the Brewers earned a 53-40 edge on the glass which led to 15 more shot attempts.

Salem State got 20 points, eight rebound and seven blocks from standout freshman Kia Fernandes, while Kaitlyn Bryan added 14 points and three steals in 37 minutes. SSU turned the ball over 21 times, and was 18-of-60 (30.0 percent) from the field.

The Brewers will take on Wheaton College in the Salem State Holiday Classic Championship game Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. from the Twohig Gymnasium. Wheaton defeated Rugters-Newark in the first game of the day 73-52.