TROY, N.Y. – The Vassar men's basketball team continues its historic run, advancing to the Liberty League Championship after defeating Ithaca 76-74 on Saturday afternoon at the ECAV Arena. The Brewers reached the championship game for the second time in program history and went last in the 2013-14 season. Vassar will now face Skidmore tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Junior Avni Mustafaj (Yonkers, NY) paced the Brewers with a career-high 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, and four Vassar players scored in double-digits. Ithaca took an early 4-10 lead following a three-pointer by Andrew Geschickter at 16:52. Mustafaj scored a jumper to cut the lead to four. Vassar made it 10-12 following baskets by Jack Rothenberg (Yardley, PA) and Mustafaj, but Liam Spellman spurred a 5-0 run when he drained a triple at 14:19.

The Brewers would keep the game close, but the Bombers' strong three-point shooting derailed any strong runs. Logan Wendell hit another Ithaca trey at 9:44 to give the Bombers a ten-point lead. Junior Zach Johnson (San Francisco, CA) netted a quick two baskets to make it 22-28. Ithaca used a 6-2 run to go up by ten again, but Rothenberg and Johnson scored to put it back at single digits.

Ithaca would split a pair of free throws to take a 28-35 advantage. Junior Zev Katz (Philadelphia, PA) banked in a jumper as Vassar closed the half on a 7-0 run to tie 35-35 at the break.

Vassar carried over the momentum into the second half, taking a nine-point lead following a Mustafaj jumper at 15:50. Ithaca's Triston Wennersten dropped a three to respond, making it 48-42. A triple from Mustafaj and then one by Katz at 12:25 pushed the Brewers ahead 57-44. Vassar took its largest lead at 18 points when Ethan Ellis (Silver Spring, MD) scored on the fastbreak, and Mustafaj drained another triple.

The Ithaca defense began to press Vassar and slowly made it a 64-56 when Skylar Sinnon hit a pair of free throws at 7:10. At 4:03, Wendell scored on an and-one to make it a three-point game, but the Brewers could hold onto their lead. Ithaca would cut the lead to 75-74 when Wendell sank a three with three seconds left. Ellis was fouled the next possession and split his free throws. Ithaca had one final shot attempt, and the favor stayed Vassar's way.

Mustafaj added six assists in the win, while Rothenberg scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Johnson and Katz both recorded 12 points.

Wendell led Ithaca with 27 points, while Sinon scored 13. Both George Sikoryak and Luka Radovich added 11 points.

Vassar now plays in the Liberty League Championship tomorrow against Skidmore at 2 p.m. at the ECAV Arena.