Poughkeepsie, NY – An early run of free throws from Vassar College put the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team in a hole in the first period, and the Golden Knights could never recover in a 77-47 defeat against the Brewers Friday evening.

The Golden Knights saw their record fall to 6-12 overall and 2-9 in the Liberty League while Vassar improved to 13-5 and 9-2. Clarkson takes on Bard College to close out the lengthy road trip on Saturday.

The two teams traded baskets in the first minute of the opening period, but it was all Vassar after those initial shots. However, it was not because of a strong shooting performance from the floor for the Brewers, but from the free throw line. All seven of Clarkson's fouls in the first period resulted in free throws for the Brewers, and the home team rarely missed, going 13-for-15 from the line in the first 10 minutes to build a 14-point lead after a pair of free throws from Maddie Ahearn.

For all the attempts that came in the first quarter, there were none in the second as each team started making some shots from the field. A 3-pointer from Fallon Griffin got Clarkson back to within 11 (26-15) with just over three minutes to go, but a 3-pointer from Sierra McDermed 90 seconds later and a last second layup  pushed the margin back to 16 at the half.

Vassar took advantage of Clarkson miscues in the opening half, scoring 17 points off Golden Knight turnovers.  

The Golden Knights came out hot in the third quarter and shot 8-for-10 from the floor in the period, but could not make up any ground due to a handful of turnovers. Vassar had six more shots in the frame and also made two extra free throws to actually outscore the Knights 23-21 in the third 10-minute stretch, despite Clarkson's strong performance from the field. In the fourth, it was Vassar that would start out strong, making eight of its first 11 shots while the Knights cooled off, and the Brewers finished off the win.

Raelin Burns led Clarkson with 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting and also added in three steals. Cassidy Dumont contributed 11 points and six rebounds, Fallon Griffin had nine points, and Bella Doyle chipped in seven rebounds and five assists.

For Vassar, Tova Gelb was 9-for-10 from the floor for 26 points to go along with five steals on defense. Maddie Ahearn scored 13 points and Julia Harvey notched 10 points for the Brewers. Erin Lovett also had eight points and nine rebounds, with five coming on the offensive end.