Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – Skidmore College junior Laura Michel (Middle Village, N.Y.) poured in all of her game-high 16 points in first half as the Thoroughbreds tore through Vassar College, 71-40, in a Liberty League match-up Friday at the Sports and Recreation Center.

The Thoroughbreds kept their playoff hopes alive by improving to 6-5 in conference play and 13-9 overall.  The 13 wins are the program's most since the 1998-99 season.  The Brewers have dropped 10 straight to fall to  0-10 in the Liberty League and 4-14 overall.

Skidmore went on a 10-0 run early in the first half to take a commanding 43-24 halftime lead.  The hot-shooting Thoroughbreds hit 16 of 34 in the half, including 6-12 from downtown. 

The second half was much of the same story, with Skidmore leading by as many as 34 and holding Vassar to just 18.2 percent shooting (4-22).

Also for Skidmore, sophomore Dana Leonard (Cooperstown, N.Y.) scored 14 points and had eight boards, while classmate Sharlyn Harper (New York, NY) posted 13 points and four assists.  Laurel Brown (South Hamilton, Mass.) contributed five assists and four steals.  The Thoroughbreds scored 20 points off 23 Brewer turnovers.

Emma Carmichael (Brattleboro, Vt.) led Vassar with eight points and 12 rebounds off the bench.  Elise Okusami (Olney, Md.) also scored eight points.

Skidmore continues its trek toward a playoff berth Saturday when it hosts RPI at 2 p.m.  Vassar travels to Union College for a 2 p.m. game.