Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – The Vassar College men’s basketball team used a 41-points second half to defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 71-57, this evening at Robison Gym. With the win, the Brewers up their record to 11-1 overall, and 3-0 in Liberty League play. The Red Hawks fall to 6-8 on the year and 1-2 in league play.

A pair of Kyle Magnus (South Burlington, VT/Rice Memorial) free throws gave Vassar an 11-point lead with less than four minutes to play. The Red Hawks never got within ten the rest of the way as the Brewers made 15 of 18 (83.3%) free throws in the second half, and finished 21 of 26 (80.8%) in the game.

An evenly played first half, where neither team led by more than four points, saw Rensselaer take a 31-30 lead into halftime. Tyson Brazell (Salt Lake City, UT/Waterford School) scored six of his team-high 14 points in the opening stanza, which included 4-6 shooting from the line. Senior Lawrence Avitabile (Southington, CT/Southington) led all scorers at the break with eight points on 3-7 shooting from the field.

Vassar improved from the floor in the second half, hitting on 52.2% of its attempts. After Rensselaer cut the Brewers’ lead to 52-48 with 7:48 to play, the visitors went on an 11-3 run to open up a 63-51 advantage.

Brazell’s 14 points paced Vassar, which had three players in double figures. Avitabile finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Magnus recorded ten points and six boards.

The Red Hawks were led by a game-high 15 points and 11 rebounds from senior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh). Following him, were guards Sam Zullo (Indian Lake, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) and Jeremy Bull (Woodbridge, VA/St. Stephens & St. Agnes School), who had ten points apiece.

The Brewers finished with a 31-27 rebounding edge, and blocked five shots as a team. RPI was 9-9 from the free throw line in the first half, but just 5-9 in the second.

The Red Hawks return to action on Friday and Saturday at North Country rivals St. Lawrence (8pm) and Clarkson (4pm), respectively. The Brewers visit Clarkson and St. Lawrence this weekend.