POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 13, 2015) – Senior Alex Snyder (Rutland, VT/Rutland) had a chance for the win putting up a shot in the final seconds, but his attempt was no good as RIT held on to top Vassar 69-67 Friday evening. Freshman A.J. Horde of RIT tied with Snyder for game-high 19 points, while sophomore Joe Stortini added 18 points to pace Tigers to the victory. Vassar hit a season-high 12 three pointers on 29 attempts, but it was not enough as VC fell just short to move to 6-16 (2-11 LL) on the season. RIT improves to 12-10 (7-6 LL) with the win.

Down 42-36 to start the second half, the Brewers came out firing nailing back-to-back three pointers from freshman Spencer Einhorn (Birmingham, AL/Mountain Brook) and junior Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT/Coginchaug) to get within two at the 18:55 minute mark. RIT led by three after a jumper from junior JP Reagan made it 47-44 with 16:41 to play, but another Einhorn triple with tied the game at 47.

Snyder gave Vassar its first lead since the 18:16 mark in the first half after a layup underneath put the hosts ahead 49-47 with 15:22 on the clock. The teams then exchanged the lead throughout the duration of the half, with both sides making open looks and getting tough stops on defense. Vassar led as late at 4:17 left in the game, after another Snyder layup put the Brewers ahead 67-65. Horde evened the score again for the Tiger with a jumper at the 3:21 mark, then a pair of clutch free throws from junior Kamron Davis gave RIT the two-point lead with 1:34 remaining.

After a missed jumper from freshman Jesse Browne (Barrington, RI/Deerfield Academy) on the ensuing possession, Wasyl scrambled on the floor to collect the rebound as head coach BJ Dunne called a quick timeout. An unfortunate turnover put the ball back in the Tigers fans, but a missed layup as the shot clock ticked down to the final seconds gave VC one last possession.

The Brewers moved the ball down the left side of the court, and Snyder found himself open from deep in the left wing. His attempt deflected off the iron, and RIT escaped with the two-point victory.

VC trailed by as many 14 points in the first half, but battled back in the final 10 minutes to remain within striking distance. The Brewers hit eight of their 12 three pointers in the first, with freshman Tony Caletti (Mill Valley, CA/Branson) sinking a team-high four long balls. Vassar chipped away at the deficit, and trailed only by six heading into the locker room.

Snyder posted his eighth double-double of the season for finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Wasyl and Browne both finished with nine points, while senior Jonathan Safir (Buffalo, NY/Williamsville North) added a pair of three pointers for the Brewers. Davis tallied 13 points and nine boards, will Regan notched 11 for the Tigers.

VC will be back at it tomorrow afternoon to face Hobart College at 4:00 pm in the AFC. The Brewers will honor their five seniors in a pregame ceremony tomorrow as the team celebrates senior day.

-VASSAR-