POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 18, 2016) — The Vassar College men's basketball team shifted the record books with an 88-72 win over Keuka College at the Vassar Tip-Off Tournament, which was held at the Athletics and Fitness Center on Friday.
"Just a great game," coach B.J. Dunne said. "We talked about hitting first from the tip. I thought we came out with a lot of energy and intensity. I thought we dictated the tempo and pace of the game, and it showed throughout the first 40 minutes."
The Brewers shot 52 percent from the floor and 61 percent (14-of-23) from three-point range, marking the second-best, three-point clip since single game records began being kept in 2000.
Jesse Browne picked up 20 points on 11 shots, shooting 4-of-5 from deep and adding six boards, three assists, two steals and a block. Fellow guard Alex Seff also stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, adding three steals and two boards.
The Brewers took turns finding their shooting strokes, as multiple players got hot throughout the first half.
Seff, who notched a personal-best 34 points in the Brewers' debut, picked up right where he left off, draining back-to-back triples to ignite the Brewer offense.
Then it was Mickey Adams who took his turn finding his stride. The junior strung together an impressive sequence to give Vassar its first double-digit lead, netting a jumper at the buzzer, a layup and then a triple, both assisted by Tony Caletti, 23-12.
Next up was Browne, who drained back-to-back Brewer threes, both assisted by Mason Dyslin, who led the team with seven boards, 32-19.
While individual Brewers enjoyed hot streaks during the early part of the half, the teams took turns heating up toward the latter. Keuka scored the next eight points before Vassar strung together another eight straight.
Vassar went into the break with a 40-29 advantage before lighting up the second half with a 14-3 run. Owen Murray opened the new period with a layup before highlighting the rest of the sequence with a few dimes.
The freshman threaded a pass to Dyslin, who finished in the paint. Dyslin returned the favor for Murray to lay one in. On the very next possession, Murray flicked a pass to Browne, who went straight up for the bucket.
The teams traded baskets, as Vassar extended its lead to as many as 25, 63-38. The Brewers kept the Wolves at arm's length the rest of the way.
Down the stretch, Chris Gallivan netted a triple that moved the team into second all-time for threes in a single game, alongside the 2008 (against Hartwick College) and 2013 (against Rensselaer) teams. Friday was also the first time since 2012-13 that the Brewers have started the season 2-0.
Throughout the game, Vassar utilized a zone defense to limit Keuka's offensive options. The Wolves subsequently shot 38 percent from the floor and 24 percent percent from deep. Jelani Fontanes, Cliff Stevens and Cameron Winston all led the pack with 11 points apiece.
Keuka will face Johnson State, who lost to Lehman College on the other side of the bracket, in the consolation game on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m.
Immediately thereafter, Vassar will play Lehman in the championship game at 4 p.m.
"I think we're going to be a fun team to watch this year," Browne said. "We have a bunch of guys that can shoot the three well, and when we pass the ball, we're really hard to stop."
—VASSAR—
