POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 24, 2014) – The Vassar College men's basketball team (2-2, 0-0 Liberty League) will travel to face Western Connecticut State on Tuesday at 7:30 pm.  
 
Game Details
Opponent: Western Connecticut State (2-0, 0-0 LEC)
Links:  (Western Connecticut University Men's Basketball Homepage)  (Roster)  (Stats)  (Schedule)
Site: Danbury, CT
Facility: Feldman Arena
Date: November 25, 2014
Time: 7:30 pm
Coverage:  (Live Stats)  (Live Video)
 
What to Look For:
The Brewers dropped a tough road clash to Drew University over the weekend, falling 80-60 to move to 2-2 on the year. It was the second game VC has surrendered over 80 points in a game this season, and the Brewers will now be tasked with limiting an unbeaten WSU team averaging 90 points a game in 2014. Vassar has done a good job taking care of the ball, surrendering only 12.0 turnovers per game while averaging 12.3 assists. 
 
Last Time Out:
Drew University's Kevin Herring II and Ozan Yucetepe combined for 39 points, as the Rangers bested Vassar 80-60 on November 22. The hosts never trailed in the game, and forced the Brewers into early foul trouble to dictate the tempo. Drew out-rebounded the Brewers 40-30 in the game. Senior Luka Ladan (Belmont, MA/Belmont) tied his career-high in both points and rebounds in the defeat, finishing with 26 and 13 (respectively).
 
A Look at the Colonials:
Western Connecticut has gotten off to a hot start this season, picking up two wins over TCNJ (91-73) and Plattsburgh State (89-84) in its opening games. WSU has four different players averaging over 10.0 points a game, while the team is averaging 19.5 turnovers and 5.5 three pointers per contest so far in 2014-15.
 
Western Connecticut finished 17-9 overall last season, notching an 8-6 record in the Little East Conference and 11-3 mark at home. The Colonials fell in the LEC Semifinals 88-75 to Eastern Connecticut State to end the season. Look for junior Jeremiah Washington to make an impact, as he led the team in scoring (12.1 ppg) while adding 2.1 assists per game last season.
 
Top of the Conference:
The Vassar men's basketball team was selected to finish first in the Liberty League according to the preseason coaches' poll released on November 13. The Brewers received seven first place votes and 63 points overall to secure the top spot in the poll. Skidmore was tabbed second in the league, receiving one first place vote and 57 points, while RIT came in third with the final first place vote and 44 points. Clarkson (41), Hobart (37), St. Lawrence (32), Union (27), RPI (15) and Bard (8) rounded out the poll. 
 
Previous Encounters:
The two schools are 1-1 in the all-time series, with the inaugural meeting going Western Connecticut's way back in 1999.
 
When the teams met last season, Vassar earned a 78-70 win at home, led by a career-best performance from Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT/Coginchaug). Wasyl finished with a career-best 26 points in the win, while totaling six rebounds and three assists. Senior Alex Snyder (Rutland, VT/Rutland) notched a double-double (10 pts, 12 rebs), while fellow senior Curtis Smith (Mastic, NY/Eastport South Manor) added 11 points.   
 
Another Career Day:
Luka Ladan became the second senior to match or surpass his career high over the weekend, tying his career high in both points (26) and rebounds (13). Ladan had previously reached 13 rebounds a year ago when Drew and Vassar met on December 3. Senior Alex Snyder scored a career-high 27 points against Wheelock in the team's season opener, smashing his previous best of 19 back in January of 2013.
 
Next Up:
The Vassar men's basketball team will be back in the Athletics and Fitness Center on Sunday, November 30 to face Trinity College (Conn.) at 4:00 pm.