Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 19, 2008) -- Led by a dominant 28-point, 14-rebound effort from senior Lawrence Avitabile (Southington, CT/Southington), the Vassar men's basketball team grabbed its ninth consecutive victory with a 78-73 win over Hobart on Saturday at the Athletics & Fitness Center.

The Brewers improve to 10-1 and conclude a successful debut Liberty League weekend winning both games. Vassar will look to remain undefeated in the league on Tuesday at RPI. The Statesmen fall to 5-9, 0-3 in the Liberty League. Hobart will be on the road next weekend, facing Skidmore and Union.

Vassar never trailed in the game and after an Avitabile layup put the Brewers up 6-4 four minutes into the game, Hobart was never able to get closer than two points. However, each time the Brewers managed to get a little breathing room, the Statesmen responded, leading to a close finish. A three-pointer by junior Brian Butterworth (Hamilton, MA/Hamilton-Wenham) gave the Brewers a 12-point lead with 10:32 to play, but it was the most comfortable lead Vassar would hold for the remainder of the game.

Hobart whittled the Vassar lead to three following a long three-pointer from the top of the key by John Grazioli (Melville, NY/St. Anthony's) with 2:30 to play. The teams went back and forth for the next few minutes and after Statesmen Tim Llewellyn (York, PA/West York Area) converted a tough leaner in the lane, the Brewers still held a fragile three-point lead with 32 seconds to play. Tyson Brazell (Salt Lake City, UT/Waterford) sank two free throws on the other end for the Brewers, but Llewellyn answered by banking in an off-balance three-pointer to bring Hobart within two points. On the ensuing possession Brazell again ended up at the foul line, where he sank 1-of-2. With 19 seconds remaining and the opportunity for a tie, Hobart managed to advance the ball up-court but a crucial steal by Butterworth in the corner sealed the victory. Butterworth heaved the ball to a wide-open Avitabile at the other end and the senior forward easily iced the win with a lay-up.

The Brewers dominated the game early, jumping out to a 23-7 lead on a Butterworth three-pointer with 10:22 to play in the first half. However, Hobart steadily chipped away at the lead, and after a lay-up by Mark Bruce (Fairport, NY/Fairport), the Statesmen found themselves trailing by just four points, 34-30. The Brewers responded at a crucial time, picking up momentum to go into halftime. A three-pointer by Butterworth and a steal and fast break lay-up by Brazell gave the Brewers back a more comfortable lead, and Vassar went into the locker room leading 41-32.

Butterworth drained seven three-pointers en route to a 23-point, six-point, five-assist effort. It was the second time this season Butterworth has hit at least seven three-pointers, as he drained a career high eight from behind the arc in a win over Delaware Valley early in the season. For Avitabile, the double-double was his seventh this season and the 33rd of his career. Avitabile nearly had a double-double in the first half alone, with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Lenny Holt (Watertown, MA/Watertown) added nine points for the Brewers, while Brazell chipped in with seven points.

The Statesmen received a strong scoring effort from their starting line-up with all five recording at least nine points. Adam Salzmann (Connelly, NY/Kingston) led the well-balanced scoring attack with 13 points and nine rebounds. Grazioli chipped in with a double-double, netting 11 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Lleywellyn contributed 11 points and four steals, Roger Estep (York, PA/West York Area) scored 11 points and Rob Genovese (Geneva, NY/Deerfield Academy) added nine points.

Although the Brewers were out-rebounded 41-29, Vassar forced Hobart into 20 turnovers and held a 27-4 advantage on points off turnovers.