Box Score

ANNANDALE-ON-THE-HUDSON, NY (November 27, 2007) -- Seniors Lawrence Avitabile and Tyson Brazell combined for 30 points to lead Vassar's men's basketball team past SUNY New Patlz, 69-58, in opening round play of the Hudson Valley Shootout Tuesday evening at Bard College's Stevenson Gym. The Brewers (4-1) will be seeking their fourth straight Hudson Valley championship and will meet Mount St. Mary, a 77-66 winner over Bard, Wednesday night at 8:00 pm.

In the victory, Vassar's third straight, the Brewers placed four players in doubles figures. Avitabile scored 16 points, the 66th time he has reached that plateau in 77 games. Brazell added 14 points, with eight of them coming from the free throw line. Junior Brian Butterworth, the Liberty League co-Guard of the Week chipped in 13 points and fellow junior Joe Davis reached double figures for the first time this season with a 13 point effort, that included 7 of 9 from the free throw line.

In a see-saw first half, New Paltz held a slim 29-27 lead with 1:46 to play off a jump shot from Anthony Bevilacqua. The Brewers scored the next eight points of the half, all of them coming from either Brazell or Davis, to take a 35-29 halftime lead.

The Brewers never relinquished the lead from that point on. Avitabile was doing his part to extend the Vassar lead. He hit two straight jump shots to start the second half, at 19:36 and 18:42 for a quick 39-31 lead. Another jump shot from Avitabile with 13:20 to play put the Brewers ahead 45-38, but New Paltz was able to close the margin to 45-42 with 11:15 to play, following a free throw by Brian Kuar.

Vassar then proceeded to reel off 10 straight points, getting three consecutive baskets from Butterworth (two of which were 3-pointers) to increase its lead to 55-42 with 7:31 to play. From that point, the Brewers kept the Hawks at bay, keeping the margin between eight and 10 points until the final buzzer.

Avitabile shot 8 for 12 from the field, raising his seasonal shooting percentage to .720.

Vassar adeptly capitalized on 17 New Paltz turnovers, converting those miscues into 23 points. Vassar also held a distinct advantage in bench points, outscoring the Hawks 32-16 and held its opponent to 36.5 percent shooting from the floor. With Avitabile, Buterworth and Davis all shooting well from the floor, the Brewers shot 45 percent for the game.

New Paltz (1-3) placed three players in double figures, led by Kyle Nelson's 17. Lee Bertram added 12 points and Matt Hauser chipped in 10. Nelson took game honors in rebounds, grabbing 14 to complete his double-double. Vassar's senior center Kyle Magnus had seven rebounds.