POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 31, 2015) – Freshman Jesse Browne (Barrington, RI/Deerfield Academy) drove to the hoop with 18 seconds on the clock to score the eventual game-clinching points as Vassar bested Union College 69-67 Saturday afternoon. The Dutchmen had a chance to tie with four seconds remaining in the game, but could not get a shot up as time expired and VC secured the two-point victory. Junior Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT/Coginchaug) finished with 20 points, including 15 in the second half for the Brewers, while seniors Luka Ladan (Belmont, MA/Belmont) and Alex Snyder (Rutland, VT/Rutland) both posted double-doubles to pace the Brewers to their sixth win of the season. VC improves to 6-12 (2-7 LL) on the year with the victory, while Union drops to 9-11 (3-8 LL).

It was a tale of two halves, as Vassar caught fire in the second to erase a seven-point halftime deficit and pull ahead of the Dutchmen. Down 42-46 with 11:23 to play in the game, freshman Tony Caletti (Mill Valley, CA/Branson) ignited a 21-4 run for the Brewers after sinking a triple to cut the Union lead to one. After a miss on the other end, Wasyl delivered three consecutive three-pointers to give Vassar its first lead since the 15:30 mark of the first half.

Ahead 54-50, two Snyder layups and a pair of freebies from Ladan pushed the VC advantage to 10 before Wasyl buried another shot from beyond the arc to give Vassar its largest lead of the game, 63-50.

The Dutchmen made things interesting in the game's final minutes, as the visitors used a late run to pull within four of the Brewers. With his team down 66-62, junior Ryan Whelpley converted a layup to cut the lead to two. After a VC turnover on the ensuing possession, sophomore Deshon Burgess converted another layup on the break and earned a trip to the line after being fouled. With a chance to take the lead, burgess swished the and-one free throw to put Union up 67-66 with 29 seconds to play.

It was then that Browne came up clutch for the Brewers, converting his own and-one opportunity to put the hosts back up by two with 18 seconds left. After Burgess missed a layup opportunity to tie, the Dutchmen quickly fouled to try and stretch the game to one more possession. Union's final play of the game was thwarted, as the final ticks ran off the scorebaord and VC earned the win on alumni day.   

Union executed its offense early in the game at the Athletics and Fitness Center, leading by as many as eight in the first half. The Brewers hung around despite shooting only 36.7%, and were behind 36-29 heading into the locker room.

Vassar won the rebounding battle 42-29 over the Dutchmmen, while racking up 19 assists in the contest; the most for the Brewers in Liberty League play this season. Snyder finished with 10 points, 15 boards and six assists on the night, while Ladan posted 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Browne finished with 14 points and three assists. Senior Terell Winney of Union tied for a game-high 20 points, while Whelpley added 15 for the Dutchmen.

Vassar will be back in action this Tuesday, February 3 to face RPI on the road in Troy, NY at 8:00 pm.

--VASSAR--