Clarkson looked in control of the action early, jumping out to a 19-6 lead in the game’s first ten minutes. Senior guard Linda Fernandez (Kennebunkport, ME) lead the Golden Knights offensive charge, sinking 4-of-6 shots, including 2-of-3 three-pointers.
Clarkson lead 23-13 with 3:59 to play in the half, when Fernandez went to the bench and the Vassar offense began to find its rhythm. After beginning the game shooting 3-for-15, Vassar made 7 straight shots down the stretch, propelling them on a 16-0 run and a 29-23 halftime lead.
"That run was huge," said Vassar coach Steve Bunfiglio. "We came out a little flat to start the game, but to pick it up like that and go into the break with a lead shows you what kind of players we have."
Sophomore center Rachel Cerlen (Short Hills, NJ/Millburn) and junior guard Natalie Serkowski (Clinton Corners/Our Lady of Lourdes) played key roles, combing for 11 of the 16 points. Serkowski would finish as the Brewers leading scorer and rebounder, with 14 and 8 respectively.
The second half featured several momentum shifts, as neither team was able to pull away. Vassar lead by as many as 5 (39-34) midway through the half, but solid shooting by sophomore forward Mickala Henson (Waverly, NY) and rugged defense by Clarkson gave them a 10-5 run and a 44-44 tie with just over three minutes to play.
Henson would finish as Clarkson’s leading scorer, with 12 points. Fernandez chipped in 10 points and four rebounds.
The score remained the same until with 15 seconds left, Wesner fouled McGair (Cranston, RI/St. Mary Academy-Bay View), giving Vassar the opportunity to run its offense without a shot clock.
The Brewers worked the ball around before Serkowski found an open McGair just inside the three-point line. The shot hit nothing but net. Clarkson was able to get off a desperation three pointer with .6 seconds left, but Fernandez’s shot clanged off the rim and Vassar had its first conference win.
"It was really important for us to pick up our first Liberty League victory," Bunfiglio said. "It wasn’t pretty, but the last time I checked it’s still a win."
Clarkson Universtiy vs VASSAR 1/22/05 2:00 pm at Poughkeepsie, NY VASSAR 46, CLARKSON UNIVERSTIY 44 CLARKSON UNIVERSTIY (3-12, 0-4) Mickala Henson 3-8 6-6 12; Sarah Wesner 4-9 2-4 10; Linda Fernandez 4-13 0-0 10; Amanda Czop 3-8 0-0 6; Erika Fritjofson 1-6 1-1 3; Michelle Pelkey 1-7 0-0 2; Ashley Janisewski 0-6 1-2 1. Totals 16-57 10-13 44. VASSAR (5-9, 1-4) Natalie Serkowski 6-13 0-0 14; Meredith McGair 4-14 5-8 13; Rachel Cerlen 5-5 0-0 10; Erin Harper 1-8 3-4 5; Andrea Jergesen 1-1 0-0 2; Sarah Porter 1-2 0-0 2; Chelsea Katzenberg 0-2 0-0 0; Melissa Jones 0-3 0-0 0; Elise Okosami 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 18-50 8-12 46. Clarkson Universtiy........... 23 21 - 44 VASSAR........................ 29 17 - 46 3-point goals-Clarkson Universtiy 2-12 (Linda Fernandez 2-7; Amanda Czop 0-2; Erika Fritjofson 0-3), VASSAR 2-13 (Natalie Serkowski 2-7; Meredith McGair 0-4; Erin Harper 0-1; Melissa Jones 0-1). Fouled out--Clarkson Universtiy-None, VASSAR-None. Rebounds-Clarkson Universtiy 30 (Ashley Janisewski 8), VASSAR 37 (Natalie Serkowski 8). Assists-Clarkson Universtiy 6 (Erika Fritjofson 2; Linda Fernandez 2), VASSAR 15 (Erin Harper 9). Total fouls-Clarkson Universtiy 12, VASSAR 12. A-75