News Release

BROOKLYN, NY — The New York City College of Technology Men’s Basketball team fell to Vassar College in a non-conference basketball game at the Klitgord Center tonight, 85-77, despite a career-high 25 points from sophomore forward RYAN PHILLIP (Nazareth / Brooklyn, NY). The Brewers move to 11-4 with the win, while the Yellow Jackets drop to 3-15 with the loss.

Vassar jumped out to an early lead and never trailed. Sophomore guard BRIAN BUTTERWORTH (Hamilton Wenham / Hamilton, MA) connected on a pair of three-pointers in the game’s opening minute to give the visiting Brewers an early edge. The Yellow Jackets trailed by as many as 19 points in the opening stanza as the Brewers shot an amazing 74% from the floor. Eleven different players got in on the scoring action for Vassar in the first half.

The Brewers cooled off in the second half, but the Yellow Jackets struggled to cut into the lead. Senior guard KAREEM HANLEY (Canarsie / Brooklyn, NY) made a three-pointer with 4:11 remaining, bringing the Yellow Jackets to within 10 points at 77-67. Vassar stormed back, scoring the next six points, again increasing the lead to 16 points. City Tech outscored Vassar 10-2 in the next minute, but the Brewers clamped down on the defensive end in the final minute, not allowing the Yellow Jackets to score on their final four possessions.

The Brewers were led by junior forward LAWRENCE AVITABILE (Southington / Southington, CT), who scored 21 points by converting 10 field goals in 11 tries. Butterworth finished with 14 points, while junior guard TYSON BRAZELL (Waterford / Salt Lake City, UT) added nine points and five assists. In addition to Phillip’s career night, the Yellow Jackets got a season-high 17 points from junior guard OMAR MAHONEY (Edison / Brooklyn, NY). Senior swingman OTIS SAYLEE (Seward Park, New York, NY) had his third straight double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Next up for the Yellow Jackets is a CUNYAC men’s & women’s doubleheader, Wednesday, January 24th versus the College of Staten Island at the Klitgord Center, with a 5:00 pm women’s tip-off and a 7:00 pm men’s scheduled start time.