SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (February 24, 2016) — After a wild run, the Vassar College men's basketball team fell on the road to the defending champion Skidmore College Thoroughbreds, 82-71, on Wednesday.

"You can never measure a season by the final game," coach B.J. Dunne said. "I am really proud of our effort all year. We made tremendous strides with such a young group, and we are very excited about the future. This is the closest team we have had in my three years, and I know this loss will motivate and fuel our offseason."

The Brewers were picked to finish last in the preseason poll, but they beat the odds to enter the Liberty League Championships for the second time in three years. They finish the season 12-14 overall and 8-9 in conference play, while the first-seeded Thoroughbreds improve to 17-8 and 11-5. 

It was truly a tale of two halves. Vassar shot 52 percent to Skidmore's 39 percent in the first half to take a 36-31 edge into the locker rooms. But the tables turned after the break, as the Thoroughbreds shot 58 percent to the Brewers' 36 percent in the second. 

Four Brewers scored in double figures: sophomore Jesse Browne totaled 18 points and three blocks, senior Erikson Wasyl had 14 points and four rebounds, freshman Paul Grinde finished with 13 points and seven boards and Mickey Adams added 10. 

Senior Erik Sanders and freshman Edvinas Rupkus scored 18 points apiece, as two of five Thoroughbreds to score in double digits. Freshman Jack Byrne and junior Royce Paris each finished with 13 points, while sophomore Marcus Jackson contributed twelve.

The Thoroughbreds got in the paint early for four quick points. But Grinde got the Brewers on the board with a triple, and Wasyl got them within one, 7-6, after a Thoroughbred three.

Amid a 12-2 run, Browne gave the Brewers their first lead of the game with a pull-up jumper, 14-13. Seff topped the spurt with a buzzer-beating basket to extend the lead to 21-15 with 9:56 to go. The Thoroughbreds got within two twice thereafter, but Wasyl laid one in to send the Brewers into the break with a 36-31 advantage.

Just like Grinde had done in the first half, he gave the Brewers their first points in the second, this time with a layup. But Skidmore responded with a 15-3 run, broken up by a catch-and-shoot three by Browne. Adams ended the burst with a three of his own, but the Thoroughbreds would go on to use a 6-2 run for their largest lead of the half, 61-75, with 3:12 remaining. 

"Skidmore is a very good team and played a great second half," Dunne said. "They controlled the tempo and really shot the ball well. I thought we battled but didn't make enough plays in the second half."

The Thoroughbreds outscored the Brewers, 51-35 in the second half, leading by as many as 14. But the Brewers showed fight throughout, not wanting to watch their season come to an end. 

The Vassar men's basketball team will say goodbye to two seniors in Erikson Wasyl and Johnny Mrlik, who have laid down a solid foundation for the program. 

"I would like to thank our seniors Erikson Wasyl and Johnny Mrlik for everything they have done for our program over the course of their careers," Dunne said. "They are two high character, special people who are the catalysts for our winning culture."