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    POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 26, 2013) – Sophomore guard Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT/Coginchaug) recorded a career-high 26 points in a Vassar College men's basketball 78-70 win over the visiting Western Connecticut State University Colonials on Tuesday at the Athletics and Fitness Center Gymnasium.

    Wasyl hit 15 of his points in the second half with nine of them being from the free throw line. He finished the day with a showing of 9-for-12 from the line and 3-for-5 from beyond the 3-point arc. Wasyl also pulled in six rebounds, blocking a shot and registering a steal.

    Vassar gained a comfortable lead in the second half when junior forward Luka Ladan (Belmont, MA/Belmont) hit a layup and two free throws at 10:23 and 9:26 respectively, starting a Vassar 23-14 run and giving the Brewers a 67-57 lead with 3:07 remaining.

    Within the final three minutes, the Colonials tried to force a comeback with Jengodji Gates leading the charge. Gates hit all seven points in the WestConn, 7-6 run. Wasyl halted the advance after being intentionally fouled for the second time within the final 30 seconds. Bobby Bynum added a layup with :04 left in the game, bringing the Colonials back within eight, 78-70.

    Ultimately, committing fouls that sent the Brewers to the line and not being able to score inside of the paint spelled trouble for the Colonials. Vassar was sent to the line to shoot 35 times off of WestConn's 26 personal fouls and hit 24 of them (68.6%). Behind Wasyl's nine successful charity shots, junior guard Curtis Smith (Mastic, NY/Eastport South Manor) hit 5-of-8, Ladan shot 4-of-4 and sophomore guard Johnny Mrlik (San Francisco, CA/St. Ignatius College Preparatory) sunk 3-of-4 from the line on the night.

    Junior Alex Snyder (Rutland, VT/Rutland) recorded the game-high rebound mark, pulling in 12 with 10 of the boards being on the defensive end of play. Snyder also blocked three shots for another game-high and dished out three assists for a team-high along with Ladan who also had three.

    Wasyl led four Brewers in double-digit scoring. Mrlik hit for 12 points, Smith added 11 and Snyder had 10 for his third double-double of the season.

    Gates and Bynum, who each had 16 points, led the Colonials. Luis Bridtter recorded a team-high seven rebounds and added five points. Jeremiah Washington had 11 points and also the game-high four steals.

    Vassar's presence under the basket was obvious to say the least. The Brewers out rebounded the Colonials, 52-36. WestConn's shooting was cold for a majority of the game as they ended play hitting 22-of-67 (32.8%) and 7-for-22 (31.8%) from beyond the arc.

    The Brewers shot 25-of-59 (42.4%) from the floor.

    This is the first time since the fall portion of the 2008-09 season that Vassar has won three games in a row. The Brewers (3-1) will next host the Rangers of Drew University on Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00 pm. The Colonials (4-2) will next host Framingham State on Tuesday at 7:00 pm as well.