The Misericordia University women's basketball team opened the season with a 67-40 loss at Vassar in the opening round of the Hochberg Family Tip-Off Tournament, Friday evening in Poughkeepsie.
 
Samantha Casey led the Cougars with eight points.
 
The Cougars rallied in the second half, but the first-half deficit was too much to overcome.
 
The teams played evenly in the third quarter with Vassar holding a 16-14 advantage to take a 55-20 lead.
 
MU chipped away in the fourth quarter and ended the game on a 9-0 run over the final 5:15.
 
Ava Cirigliano had a pair of baskets around a fastbreak basket from Anna Cholakis to key the run.
 
Katie Ryan's three-pointer ending the scoring.
 
Misericordia will face Ursinus, Saturday at 2:00 in the consolation game.