POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 20, 2013) – The Vassar College men's basketball team will travel the 12 miles to neighboring SUNY New Paltz on Thursday, November 21 at the Hawk Center for a 6:00 pm tip-off.
Game Details
Opponent: SUNY New Paltz (2-0, 0-0 SUNYAC)
Site: New Paltz, NY
Facility: Hawk Center (1,800)
Date: November 21, 2013
Time: 6:00 pm
Live Stats
Live Video
What to Look For
The Brewers (2-0) are coming off a third place finish in the Courtyard by Marriott Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Roger Williams University this past weekend. Vassar fell to tournament champion Clark University in the first game, 65-62 despite the final push at the end of the game. Clark went on to roll to an easy 80-69 win over Mount Ida College for the first place tournament title. In the consolation game, the Brewers were being led by Roger Williams, 45-34 at half but the Brewer defense held the Hawks to 26 second half points while their offense piled on 47 points.
Sophomore Johnny Mrlik (San Francisco, CA/St. Ignatius College Prep) recorded his first double-double of the season with 28 points and 10 rebounds against Roger Williams. He also was perfect from the free throw line on the weekend. Mrlik shot 9-9 against the Hawks and 4-4 against Clark.
The Brewers will have to focus on keeping possession of the ball this week. Against Clark, Vassar handed the ball over 28 times and another 14 against Roger Williams. The Brewer defense is forcing 12 turnovers a game.
A Look at the Hawks
The Hawks are coming off a successful stay in California. They were the tournament champions of the Lee Fulmer Memorial Tip-Off Classic in Redlands, CA. New Paltz walked away with a win against Whittier College in the first round, 69-66 and an 82-60 win over the University of Redlands in the championship game. Taylor Sowah leads New Paltz with 31 points (15.5 per game) and also is second on the team with 11 rebounds (5.5 per game). Andrew Joseph leads the Hawks in rebounds with 13 (6.5 per game) and is second in scoring with 23 points (11.5 per game), but he also leads in turnovers with 10 (5.0 per game).
Against New Paltz All-Time
New Paltz leads the series 15-7 with a current four-game winning streak. Vassar has not beaten the Hawks since 2007. The Brewers downed the Hawks 69-58 at the Hudson Valley Shootout at Bard College. New Paltz owns the largest winning streak in the series with its nine-game run from 1989-1996. In their last meeting, New Paltz took a 74-58 win over the Brewers at the Athletics and Fitness Center on November 27.
Halt! Stop Right There!
The Brewers are currently ranked third in the Liberty League in scoring defense. They are allowing only 68 points per game right behind Bard College who is allowing 67 points a contest. RIT leads the league with 51.5 points per game allowed.
Pulling Them Down
Vassar is third in the Liberty League for defensive and offensive rebounds per night. They are averaging 28.5 defensive boards a game and 12.5 offensive. With 25 offensive rebounds and 57 defensive, the Brewers are third in total rebounds with 82 for an average of 41.0 a game. St. Lawrence University leads the league in total rebounds with 134 out of their three games.
That's Mine
The Brewers stole the ball 13 times this past weekend for a 6.5 average and is currently fourth in the league. RPI leads with 34 steals and a 17.0 steals per game average.
Thanksgiving Is Just Around The Corner…We'll Bring The Stuffing
Vassar has the most blocks per game of the Liberty League opponents who have played two or more games this season so far. The Brewers have stuffed nine shot attempts for a 4.5 average. Hobart has played only one game with five blocks.
Double-Doubles Are Snyder Nature
Junior Alex Snyder (Rutland, VT/Rutland) has recorded two double-doubles this season with 12 points and 10 boards against Clark and with 13 rebounds and 10 points against Roger Williams. Last year, Snyder was an All-League Honorable Mention after a season where he hit a double-double 11 times.
Mrlik: The Headliner
Mrlik has shot a perfect 13-for-13 from the charity line this season. Nine of them came against Roger Williams. In his freshman season, Mrlik shot .888 from the line going 71-80 with 12 games at a perfect 1.000 shooting average.
Wasyl For Three!!
Sophomore Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT/Coginchaugh) is shooting .545 from beyond the 3-point arc. He has hit 6-11 and averages 12.5 points per game. He is currently third on the team in scoring.
Up Next
The Brewers will take on the Western Connecticut State University Colonials in their home-opener on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 7:00 pm.
--VASSAR--
