POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.—Vassar College got a game-high 21 points from Ariella Rosenthal and used a late run to post a 55-50 Liberty League women's basketball win over William Smith College tonight. The Brewers led by as many as 11 in the third quarter, but had to score the night's final 6 points to defend their home court.
 
The Herons got 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including four 3-pointers, from junior Melanie Patterson. She also grabbed seven rebounds and a game-high five steals. First-year Mia Morrison added 10 points, 10 rebounds, a game-high five assists, and three blocked shots. William Smith managed a 42-40 rebounding edge, despite playing without junior Gabrielle Eure (10.2 rpg), who was sidelined with an injury.
 
For Vassar, Rosenthal was 9-of-20 shooting and made 3-of-4 free throws. She was the only Brewer in double figures. Caitlin Drakeley added 8 points. Rose Serafini collected a game-high 12 rebounds and blocked a game-high six shots. The Brewers made more free throws (9) than their guests attempted (6).
 
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, featuring four ties and six lead changes. The teams were tied at 17 after the first quarter, with Patterson accounting for 10 of the Herons points. Vassar carried a 27-26 lead into the break. The leading scorer at the intermission, Patterson had 13 points. Ariella Rosenthal paced the Brewers with 8 points.
 
Vassar (7-13, 4-7 LL) opened the second half on a 10-0 run, including 5 points from Rosenthal. Junior Alyssa DiCampli finally got the Herons on the board in the third quarter with a layup at the 4:12 mark. The Brewers carried a 43-33 lead in to the final frame.
 
William Smith (8-11, 6-5) got back in the game by scoring the first 9 points of the fourth quarter. First-year Olivia Hughes converted an old-fashion 3-point play while Patterson, Morrison, and sophomore Kendra Quinn-Moultrie added 2-point baskets.
 
Rosenthal and Samantha Cook got Vassar back on track with consecutive buckets that stretched the lead to 47-42. The Herons countered with an 8-2 run that Hughes capped off with a jumper that put William Smith in front 50-49 with under three minutes remaining.
 
The Brewers reclaimed the lead on a pair of free throws by Drakeley with 44 seconds left. Over the next 25 seconds, the Herons missed a jumper and a pair of free throws that would have given them the lead. Vassar also missed a pair of freebies during that time span, but put the game away by making all four of its free throws in the final 16 seconds.
 
William Smith is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 6, when the Herons visit Bard. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.