Box Score
Game Program

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 17, 2012) -- With a 70-69 Vassar lead and four seconds remaining, freshman Johnny Mrlik hit a pair of clutch free throws and stole the ensuing inbound pass to seal the 72-69 victory for the Vassar College men's basketball team over Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Liberty League action on Friday night at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

Vassar ended the first half on a 20-1 run for a 39-37 halftime lead and led 70-64 with 1:27 to play until a 5-0 RIT run set the table for a dramatic finish.

The Brewers (9-15, 5-10 Liberty) host Hobart on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and celebrate senior day. The Tigers (8-16, 4-11) end the season on the road at Bard at 4:00 p.m.

After Vassar's largest lead of the second half at 65-58 with 4:45 to play, RIT closed within three at 67-64 with a 6-2 run capped by a jumper from Ronnie Canestro. Mrlik pushed the lead to 70-64 with a triple from the wing with 1:27 left.

RIT added three points in one sequence as Gabe Nicasio hit his first free throw and Brendan Harder tipped in the second attempt to close the lead to 70-67 with 54 seconds to play. RIT regained possession with 31 seconds and missed two threes, grabbing both offensive boards, with Justin Heisig finishing with a putback on the second to close within one point at 70-69 with five seconds remaining.

Vassar hit its target on the inbound pass, finding Mrlik who is currently ranked ninth in the nation with an 88.5 free throw percentage. True to form, Mrlik converted both free throws under pressure for a 72-69 lead.

On the game's final inbound pass, RIT sent a long ball toward half court but Mrlik jumped the route and batted the ball to himself to prevent a final shot by RIT.

The second half featured two ties and two lead changes but Vassar took the lead for good at 51-50 on a triple by Mrlik with 11:29 remaining.

In what began as a one-sided first half, RIT rode a hot start to a 36-19 lead; but Vassar rallied to even the score at 36-36 with a 17-0 run over the next four minutes. The Tigers regained the lead at 37-36 with a free throw in the final minute. In the final play of the half, freshman center Alex Snyder grabbed a rebound and pushed the ball up court with seconds left in the half. Snyder made a leaping pass to sophomore Sam Rappaport, who quickly pumped, and swished a deep NBA-three as the buzzer sounded to give Vassar its first lead of the game at 39-37.

During the 20-1 run in the final six minutes of the half, seven players scored for Vassar, led by junior Jon Herzog who hit back-to-back threes to close within nine at 36-27. Freshman Seth Bynum scored a twisting layup in traffic on a hot pass threaded by classmate Johnny Mrlik. Vassar's press caused four turnovers leading to 10 points during the run.
Vassar distributed its scoring across 11 players with 29-14 edge in bench points. Although RIT dominated inside in the second half with a 24-8 points in paint edge and an 18-11 rebounding edge; Vassar negated the advantage with a 5-for-11 mark from 3-point range compared to a 0-for-5 drought from RIT.

Herzog led Vassar with 14 points while Mrlik tallied a timely 12 points, four boards and three steals. Senior Nick Justiz was Vassar's third scorer in double-figures with 10 points, three assists, and three steals. Sophomore swingman Evan Carberry chipped in with seven points, eight boards, and a game-high five steals.

Heisig powered RIT in the first half with 13 points, finishing with 18 points, five steals, five assists, and five boards. Harder posted a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. Nicasio added 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals.