POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 16, 2014) – Springfield College shot 53.7 pct. from the field and made 18 of 19 free throws, as the Pride downed the Brewers 82-44 in the final game of the Vassar Tip-Off Tournament Sunday afternoon. Freshman Brendan Eckles led all scorers with 18 points, while all-tournament selections Sean Martin and Josh Altman combined for 29 points to pace Springfield. The Pride claimed the tournament title and move to 2-0 on the season with the victory, while Vassar drops to 1-1 on the year.

The Brewers played from behind throughout the game at the Athletics and Fitness Center, and had to dig themselves out of an early 7-0 hole to start. VC came within two after a jumper from junior Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT/Coginchaug) cut the deficit to 8-6 at the 15:54 mark, but a six-point run from the Pride put the visitors back ahead 14-6 a few minutes later.

Springfield led by as many as 16 in the first half, using a combination of sharp shooting and dribble penetration to stifle the Vassar defense. Down 24-8 with 9:53 remaining in the half the Brewers made a stand, going on a 10-0 run spanning over two minutes. A layup from senior Alex Snyder (Rutland, VT/Rutland) at the 9:30 mark sparked the scoring burst, while a pair of three pointers and a layup from Wasyl and sophomore Mickey Adams (Natick, MA/St. Sebastian's School) got the Brewers within six with under eight minutes in the half.

The Pride clamped down the remainder of the first, allowing Vassar only five more points to take a 38-23 lead into the locker room.

The Brewers again struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the second half, shooting only 27.3 pct. from the floor and 3-11 from beyond the arc. Springfield continued to make open looks and force turnovers off pressure, as the Pride limited any comeback attempts from the hosts.

Vassar will have a chance to rebound this Tuesday, November 18 when the Brewers host local rival SUNY-New Paltz in the AFC at 7:00 pm.    

2014 Vassar Tip-Off All-Tournament Team

Josh Altman, Springfield College (MVP)

Sean Martin, Springfield College

Alex Snyder, Vassar College

Derek Fournier, Wheelock College

Travis Woods, SUNY-Cobleskill

-VASSAR-