POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 6, 2015) – Despite a game-high 22 points from senior Luka Ladan (Belmont, MA/Belmont), which included a school-record 14 made free throws, Vassar dropped its Liberty League home opener to Bard College Tuesday evening, 61-54. Sophomore Alex Fabean-Scotch led the way with 16 points for the Raptors, while fellow sophomore Chris Lockwood added nine points and eight rebounds to help Bard to its first Liberty League victory since January 8, 2013. Bard moves to 6-4 on the year and 1-0 in the Liberty League with the win, while Vassar drops to 4-7 (1-2 LL) in defeat.

Free throws became a crucial element in the matchup, as both teams totaled 61 attempts from the charity stripe including 45 in the second half. Bard won the efficiency battle shooting 18-26 from the line while Vassar finished with 20 made on 35 attempts; tied for third most all-time in program history.

The teams were deadlocked for the final time at the 9:18 mark in the second half, where Bard made its move shortly after to take control of the game. Up one, a pair of free throws from Fabean-Scotch coupled with layup from freshman Jelani Bell-Issac pushed the Raptor lead to 40-35 with 6:48 to play. A layup from junior Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT/Coginchaug) on the other end cut the deficit back to three, but once again the Raptors got to the line as freshman Emmanuel Rainey sunk a pair of freebies to put his side ahead 42-37 with 5:23 remaining.

The Brewers would get as close as three points down the stretch, as two free throws from Ladan made it 48-45 with 2:29 left in regulation. Bard freshman DeVahnte Mosley converted an and-one after getting fouled on a layup to push the lead to 56-50, but a quick triple from senior Curtis Smith with 1:58 on the clock had the Brewers within three again.

Fabean-Scotch had the answer for the Raptors, as he sunk an open three to put his side ahead 56-50. VC attempted to make a run with a few late layups, but it was not enough as Bard converted its free throws and took care of the basketball in the final seconds to clinch the victory.

The first half saw relatively little action, as neither side could successfully get its offense running. Bard saw its largest lead of the night at the 8:42 mark, after two free throws from freshman Caleb LaRosa put the visitors ahead by nine, 16-7. The Brewers remained within striking distance at the closing of the half, and Ladan and senior Andrew Adkins (Richmond, VA/Steward School) made a pair of layups to cut the Raptor lead to 18-15 heading into the locker room.

VC will be away from game action for the rest of week, before returning to the AFC to play Maritime College on Monday, January 12 in the team's non-conference finale.

Note: Ladan's 14 made free throws topped junior Johnny Mrlik's previous record of 13 in a game set last season against Bard on January 21, 2014. Ladan also broke the record for free throws attempted in a game with 20, bouncing Lawrence Avitabile's previous mark of 16 set back on November 18, 2005.

-VASSAR-