Potsdam, NY – A strong second half saw the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team put a late scare into Vassar College, but the Golden Knights could not complete a spirited comeback attempt, falling 61-51 in Liberty League action Saturday afternoon.

The Golden Knights fell to 5-8 overall and 1-5 in conference games while Vassar edged up to 8-4 and 4-1. Clarkson is on the road for the next three weekends, not playing another home game until February 7.

Vassar never trailed in Saturday's contest, jumping out to an early 8-2 lead following a Tova Gelb layup at the 7:36 mark in the first quarter. After a 3-pointer from Maureen Regan made it a nine-point lead, the margin hovered around single digits for the remainder of the quarter and into the early moments of the second. Vassar was doubling up the Knights (28-14) when Elizabeth Aiossa grabbed an offensive rebound and finished a layup-and-one to get Clarkson back within 11, but the Brewers went on a 7-1 run in the final two minutes of the half to gain a 17-point advantage into the locker room.

At the start of the third quarter, the Knights came out firing, scoring the first seven points to get back within 10 points, capped by a 3-pointer from Fallon Griffin, and force Vassar to use a timeout to regroup. Clarkson eventually trimmed the margin to eight after some free throws from Cassidy Dumont, but Vassar reclaimed some momentum at the end of the third with a late make from Sierra McDermed to return the advantage to 13 points.

Much like the third, Clarkson opened up the fourth quarter with a small run to put some fear into the Brewers, cutting the deficit to seven on a make from Griffin inside at 6:58. Vassar took a short break with a timeout and again found success, scoring five straight to put the gap back to double digits. This time, however, the Knights were able to stay close, getting back to within five when Raelin Burns hit a pair of free throws at 3:44 to put the tally at 54-49. Those were the last points for the Knights over the next few minutes, however, as Vassar was able to claim the win.

Three finished in double figures for the Knights, including Cassidy Dumont (12 points), Bella Doyle (11 points), and Elizabeth Aiossa (10 points). For Vassar, Toba Gelb finished with a double-double on 26 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 10-for-15 from the floor, and Sierra McDermed added a double-double on 10 points and 10 boards.