Poughkeepsie, NY – Despite holding the lead for nearly the entirely of the first three quarters, the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team slumped in the fourth period, dropping a 66-51 decision to Vassar College in conference action Friday night.

The Golden Knights dropped to 5-5 overall and to 0-3 in the Liberty League, while Vassar moved to 7-3 and 2-1. Clarkson will try to get back on track against Bard College on Saturday afternoon.

Although the Knights held the advantage for more than 26 minutes from the first through the third quarter, Clarkson struggled from the field in the fourth, netting six points on two makes midway through the quarter to tighten the game up briefly, but Vassar poured in 22 points in the last 10 minutes, almost matching its output from the entire first half.

Vassar scored the first basket of the game, but besides a few ties in the early moments, Clarkson had the better offense in the first half. Olivia Marshall hit a jumper at the 2:37 mark to give the Knights a 15-10 lead in the first, and that advantage stretched to 12 points in the second quarter when Emma Buonanno, Devin Sorell and Hannah Earl hit 3-pointers in a stretch of less than 90 seconds, pushing the advantage to 29-17. Vassar countered with a 9-0 run, but the Knights still held a six-point lead at the break.

At the start of the third, again Clarkson extended to double figures following a Buonanno layup at the 4:55 mark (41-30). However, Clarkson would score only one more basket in the next 10 minutes and the Brewers took full advantage of the drought. On the last possession of the third, Vassar took its first lead since the opening possession of the game when Samarah Cook converted a layup and free throw to give the Brewers a 44-43 advantage.

The short break between periods didn't provide Clarkson any relief, as Vassar scored the first 11 points of the period to gain a 55-43 advantage at the 5:03 mark. Hannah Earl picked up a basket and free throw to end the Knights offensive shortcomings and Tricia Loso buried a 3-pointer to get Clarkson back within six (55-49), but the reprieve was brief as Vassar outscored the Knights 11-2 in the final three minutes.

Devin Sorell netted a game-high 17 points to lead Clarkson while Madison Shea chipped in nine points, four rebounds and four assists. Hannah Earl also added nine points and five boards and Olivia Marshall produced eight points and six rebounds for Clarkson. For Vassar, Sophie Nick tallied 16 points and eight rebounds and Ariella Rosenthal contributed eight points and 12 rebounds. Both Nicole Teta and Samarah Cook had 11 points for the Brewers. Vassar held a 43-30 advantage on the boards and also took 12 free throws to Clarkson's three.