ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College women's basketball team cut a 15-point second-half deficit to two with just over two minutes left, but Vassar College prevailed, 71-59, in a Liberty League game on Tuesday night.

The first half was tight, as both teams shot the ball well - Vassar 45 percent, Bard 41 percent - and the Brewers led, 38-34, at halftime.

But Vassar came out firing in the third quarter with a 15-4 run, pushing the deficit to 15, and this one looked over.

The Raptors weren't done, though. Bard scored the last four points of the third quarter to cut the lead to 11, then the first five points of the fourth quarter to cut it to six.

Vassar responded with another push, making it 60-50 with 5:09 remaining. Still, Bard came back.

Bianka Bell scored five straight points to cut the deficit to five, then hit a long three-pointer to make it 60-58 with 2:19 remaining. The key possessions of the game followed.

Vassar freshman Nicole Teta (Maspeth, NY) hit a three-pointer to make it five again, then Rose Serafini (Milton, ONT) converted an old-fashioned three-point play, and Bard didn't get any closer than eight the rest of the way.

Teta finished with 23 points to lead Vassar (4-12, 2-6 Liberty League).

Bard got huge games from the seniors, Bell and Tytravia Riley. Bell finished with 23 points, while Riley added 20 points and 22 rebounds. Alexis Akingbade added four points and six rebounds.

Up next for Bard is a Liberty League game against St. Lawrence on Friday night in Annandale. Tip is at 6. Follow it live right here.