Box Score
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POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 14, 2011) -- With a running buzzer beater by junior guard Nick Justiz, the Vassar College men's basketball team captured its Liberty League opener against Clarkson 50-49 Friday evening at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

“This was a huge win for our returning players who know how tough it is to win in this league,” said head coach Del Harris. “The monkey is off our back and this confidence should carry into tomorrow's game.”

Trailing 47-39 with 4:20 remaining, Vassar closed the game on an 11-2 run capped off by Justiz's running floater off the glass as time expired. “Our first option wasn't open and so Justiz did what a point guard should and took off with six seconds left and made a play,” said Harris. “He's the captain, a heady point guard, and one of our hardest workers.”

The Brewers (3-9, 1-0 Liberty), who were winless in league last season, wrap up Liberty League opening weekend against St. Lawrence University this Saturday, January 15 at 4:00 p.m. The Golden Knights (8-4, 0-1 Liberty) travel to RPI on Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. game.

In the final 4:20 of the game, the Brewers defense limited Clarkson to a pair of free throws by senior forward Jonathan Hood as the Golden Knights shot 0-2 from the field. During that stretch, the Brewers did not miss a shot as they hit 3-3 from the field and 4-4 from the line.

Junior forward Ethan Shanley started the run with a jumper on an assist from junior guard Caleb McGraw to pull Vassar within six at 47-41 with 4:00 remaining. Sophomore forward John Donnelly scored the next five points on a pair of free throws and a clutch three pointer at 2:11 for a score of 47-46.

Clarkson's Hood was fouled inside on the ensuing possession and converted both free throws for a 49-46 lead with 1:49 remaining. McGraw drew a foul at 1:32 and sunk his free throws to cut the lead to one point at 49-48. Vassar produced two defensive stops in the final minute to set the table for the go-ahead basket with 16 seconds remaing.

“We played great defense in the final stretch and I'm proud of the leadership the upperclassmen showed to keep fighting at the end,” said Harris.

In a game that featured eight lead changes and only 15 total turnovers, Vassar held a significant advantage in shooting. The Brewers shot 45 percent from the field in the second half and hit 4-8 from three-point range. The pesky Brewer defense relegated the Golden Knights, who average 75 points per game on a 43.6 shooting percenatage, to a 22.2 shooting percentage in the first half and a 34.6 shooting percentage in the second half. While Clarkson found 19 points off the bench, none of its players reached double figures in scoring.

Three Brewers landed in double digits, led by Donnelly with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double, his second of the season. McGraw tallied 12 points and four rebounds. Justiz posted 11 points on 5-8 shooting and four boards. Senior captain Chris Whitney was a force inside with six rebounds and a game high two blocks.

For Clarkson, Hood pulled down a game high 13 rebounds and scored eight points. Freshman guard Marques Charlton dished a game-high four assists.