Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – Maddy Polky had a standout performance with a career-high of 15 points. Unfortunately, Clarkson University Women’s Basketball team struggled with their shooting in a 61-40 loss against Vassar College. This defeat puts the Golden Knights at 4-7 for the season and 0-4 in the Liberty League. Vassar, on the other hand, improved to 5-6 overall and remains unbeaten in the conference at 4-0.
The game started slowly for Clarkson, despite an early layup from Emma Chambers. Vassar quickly took control, scoring nine unanswered points to lead 11-2 within the first five minutes. Clarkson’s Polky narrowed the gap with some scoring efforts, bringing the score to 11-8, but Vassar maintained a slight edge at the end of the first quarter, leading 13-10.
In the second quarter, Clarkson endured another shooting slump. Vassar capitalized, jumping out to a 19-10 lead, prompting a Clarkson timeout. Bella Doyle finally scored for Clarkson, but the cold streak continued for four minutes. Kate Campbell’s three-pointer and some late baskets from Polky and Doyle helped close the gap, yet Vassar led 26-19 at halftime.
Clarkson’s shooting woes continued in the first half, with just 1-for-12 on three-pointers, while Vassar had more success overall, shooting 10-for-23. The struggles hit hard, especially as Vassar opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run, extending their lead to 35-19. By the end of the third, Vassar was ahead 47-27, leaving Clarkson with a lot to overcome.
The final quarter saw both teams exchanging baskets, but Clarkson couldn’t break through. Each team scored nine points in the last eight minutes, leading to a 61-40 final score.
Clarkson shot 33% overall (18-55) but struggled with long-range shooting, making only 1-for-18 from three. In contrast, Vassar shot 49% (22-46) and 38% (3-8) on three-pointers. Both teams turned the ball over 20 times, but Clarkson used these opportunities better, scoring 21 points off turnovers compared to Vassar’s 13. Additionally, Clarkson outscored Vassar’s bench 22-7.
In individual performances, Polky had two steals to complement her scoring. Doyle scored 10 points, making her the only other player from Clarkson in double figures. For Vassar, Maureen Regan led all scorers with 21 points on 10-for-13 shooting, while her teammates Sierra McDermed and Lindsey Shoulders added 14 and 10 points, respectively.
This game highlights the struggles many teams face with consistency, particularly in shooting. According to recent studies, teams often experience fluctuations in performance based on factors like home-court advantage, player fatigue, and overall team dynamics. Understanding these elements can be key for teams hoping to improve their game as the season progresses.
For more on basketball statistics and trends, you may want to visit [NCAA](https://www.ncaa.com/) for up-to-date information.
