Box Score

CANTON, NY (February 29, 2008) -- Tyson Brazell's runner with timing expiring bounced off the front end of the rim, enabling Hamilton to secure a 58-57 victory over Vassar's men's basketball team in opening round play at the Liberty League Championships Friday evening. The loss ends Vassar's regular season with an 18-7 record.

Hamilton's Jay Simpson and Harlee Wood combined for 26 points and made key plays in the stretch to lead the Continentals in the semifinal victory that was held at St. Lawrence University's Burkman Gymnasium.

Wood's three-pointer off a Simpson assist with 2:36 to go in regulation gave Hamilton, now 17-8, a 58-51 lead. Vassar, 18-7, fought back and closed to within one on Tyson Brazell's three pointer with 53 seconds to go. Vassar regained possession with 14 seconds to go, but Brazell's jumper with two seconds left to win it bounced off the front of the rim as Hamilton held on for the win.

Vassar led by as much as six in the first half, 20-14 with 6:07 to play, but Hamilton worked its way back in front 28-26 on Joe Mann's three pointer with 2:55 to go in the half and never trailed again. Hamilton was up 30-27 at the half and opened the lead to six on a three-pointer by Kyle Dumas 1:19 into the second half. The Continentals maintained a six to eight point lead until late in the half.

The Brewers cut Hamilton's lead to 48-46 with 6:20 to go in the half as Brazell, who led the Brewers with 16 points, scored on a layup. Vassar got to within a point twice in the last four minutes, trailing 52-51 with 3:49 to play after Lawrence Avitabile made two free throws, but Hamilton went on a six point run over the next 1:13 to take the 58-51 lead. Matt Nunn cut it to five with 2:02 to go, Avitabile's free throw made it a four-point game with 1:34 left and Brazell's three pointer set up the thrilling finish.

Brazell was one of four Brewers to haul in four rebounds in addition to his 16 points and Avitabile finished with 12 points. Nunn added nine points and had three blocked shots for the Brewers.

Wood led Hamilton with 14 points and had six rebounds and five assists, hitting seven of eight from the foul line. Simpson added 12 points, three assists and two steals while Dumans finished with nine points and Max Shillalies had six points and seven rebounds.

Hamilton will play the winner of the semifinal game between St. Lawrence and Clarkson for the Liberty League tournament title and an automatic NCAA berth at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Story Courtesy of St. Lawrence