POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 16, 2014) - Senior Alex Snyder scored a career-best 27 points while adding 10 rebounds, as Vassar held off Wheelock College 72-66 in the first round of the 2014 Vassar Tip-Off Tournament Saturday evening. Snyder was among three players to finish in double figures for the hosts, as fellow senior Luka Ladan (Belmont, MA/Belmont) also turned in a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards. Senior Curtis Smith (Mastic, NY/Eastport South Manor) tallied 11 points on the night, while the VC offense shot 58.0 pct. from the floor and outrebounded the Wildcats 31-28 to earn the victory.

With a conservative 35-26 lead at half, the Brewers were able to quickly add to their advantage at the start of the second period on a Snyder three-pointer and layup from senior Andrew Adkins (Richmond, VA/Steward School) in the first minute. Wheelock did not go away however, as the Wildcats traded baskets with Vassar over the next five minute stretch to keep the game within reach.

Wheelock was able to cut the lead to nine after a three pointer, one of eight on the night for the visitors, from sophomore Matt Eason made it 48-39. VC answered back with a layup from Ladan, but another three from sophomore Derek Fournier trimmed the Brewer lead to eight.

After again exchanging baskets, another three from Eason got the Wildcats within five for the first time since the first half at the 12:07 mark. Freshman Tony Caletti (Mill Valley, CA/Branson) stepped up in his collegiate debut to answer, hitting a three a minute later to bring the Brewers back up by eight.

Down the stretch the Brewers continued to look for Snyder and the big man did not disappoint, easily finding space down low to put away buckets. Junior Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT/Coginchaug) was efficient in setting up plays throughout the evening, as he finished with eight assists and no turnovers in 38 minutes on the floor.

Wheelock would come as close as four twice within the game's final four minutes, but Vassar continued to make clutch shots on the other end to fend off any late heroics.

Vassar moves to 1-0 on the season with the debut victory, while Wheelock drops to 0-1 in its first competition of the season.

In the night's other game, senior Nick Sienkiewicz of Springfield led all scorers as the Pride cruised to a 59-41 victory over SUNY-Cobleskill. Vassar and Springfield will meet in the tournament championship at 3:00 pm tomorrow afternoon, while Wheelock and Cobleskill will play in the consolation at 1:00 pm.