ROCHESTER, NY (January 17, 2015) - Four different RIT players finished in double figures, led by junior JP Reagan's 18 points, as the Tigers came out ahead of Vassar 73-63 Saturday afternoon. Freshman Jesse Browne (Barrington, RI/Deerfield Academy) scored a game-high 24 points for the Brewers, the most in a game by a freshman since Johnny Mrlik (San Francisco, CA/St. Ignatius College Prep) scored 32 against RPI on February 7,2012. It was not enough though, as RIT never trailed in the second half to earn the victory and move to 9-6 (4-3 Liberty League) on the season. VC drops to 5-9 and 1-4 in the Liberty with the loss.

Vassar was on the ropes early in the game at Clark Gymnasium, as the host Tigers raced out to a 10-2 lead in the opening minutes. The Brewers came out firing after a timeout, as Browne got the ball rolling with a three pointer. A layup from senior Luka Ladan (Belmont, MA/Belmont) and a long two from Browne cut the Tiger lead to 10-9 with 14:44 left in the first.

RIT remained in control over the next several minutes, and built the lead back up to eight after a free throw from sophomore Joe Stortini made it 21-13 with 9:12 to play. Browne again stepped up to make big buckets for the Brewers, hitting another three and a jumper on consecutive possessions to bring the visitors within three with 7:59 to play. VC then took its first lead of the game after consecutive baskets from senior Alex Snyder (Rutland, VT/Rutland) and freshman Tony Caletti (Mill Valley, CA/Branson) made it 22-21 Vassar with 6:32 to play.

VC wasn't up for long, as RIT regained the advantage on the ensuing possession and went to work extending it down the stretch of the first half. After a Snyder free throw had Vassar behind only 27-29 with 1:17 in the half, RIT went on a 5-0 run in the final seconds as a Stortini triple at the buzzer put the Tigers ahead 34-27 heading into the locker room.

RIT got off to another hot start in the second half, cruising out to a 15 point lead on an 8-0 run as play resumed. The Brewers hung around, and went on a big run of their own with 10:33 to play after a triple from Browne cut the RIT lead to 47-37. Fellow freshman Spencer Einhorn (Birmingham, AL/Mountain Brook) then rattled off five consecutive points, pulling his team as close as 42-47 with 8:19 left in regulation.

That would be as close as the Vassar would get, as RIT took care of business down the stretch with timely layups and effective free throw shooting. The Brewers won the rebounding battle with a 29-26 advantage on the glass, but committed 17 turnovers which turned into 14 points on the other end of the Tigers.

Alex Snyder surpassed the 900-point milestone for his Brewer career in today's game, finishing with 13 points. He now has 911 career points in the Burgundy and gray.

The Vassar men's basketball team will return home to face St. Lawrence University and Clarkson University on back-to-back days as the team hosts its first Liberty League weekend. The Brewers will tip off against the Saints on Friday, January 23 at 8:00 pm, before facing the Golden Knights on Saturday at 4:00 pm.

-VASSAR-