Vassar (2-2) was able to get off a last second shot to tie the game, but senior guard Judson Winton’s (San Francisco, CA/University) jumper missed as time expired.
Benziger’s free throws capped a frenetic close to the game that saw the Brewers trail 69-60 with 2:07 to play. Vassar reeled off the next nine points on three free throws by junior guard Will Byrne, a three-pointer by senior guard Seth Taft (1:10 remaining) and a game-tying three-pointer by freshman guard Tyson Brazell (Salt Lake City, UT/Waterford School) with 14 seconds to play.
Benziger, a junior guard from Sonoma, CA., made his first free throw attempt that prompted a Vassar timeout. His second attempt missed and the Brewers called another timeout. He connected on his third, giving Manhattanville a 71-69 lead.
“We always have a hard time playing at Vassar,” said Manhattanville first-year coach Pat Scanlon. “It was a tough game back and forth. Vassar is well coached and plays hard for 40 minutes. We’re fortunate to come out of here with a win.”
Vassar held a 34-33 halftime lead, largely due to the hot shooting of freshman guard Lawrence Avitabile (Southington, CT/Southington), who had 12 points at intermission and a season-high 22 (9 of 13) for the game.
The lead changed hands seven times in the second half before Manhattanville went on an 8-0 run beginning at 7:07 to play to make the score 65-57. The Valiants expanded the lead to 69-60 with 2:07 remaining before Vassar made its comeback.
The Brewers, who next face Mount Saint Mary’s in the Hudson Valley Shootout on Wednesday, had two other plays in double figures, including Taft, from Abington Friends in Philadelphia (18 points) and Winton (14 points). Avitabile led Vassar with seven rebounds. Manhattanville (2-1) was paced by guards Donte Chisolm (13 points), John DiBetta (13 points) and Benziger (11 points). The Valiants, who out-rebounded Vassar by a slight 38-35 margin, got nine boards from center Jovan Kandic.
Manhattanville College vs Vassar 11/28/04 2:00 at Poughkeepsie, NY MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE 71, VASSAR 69 MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE (2-1) Donte Chisolm 5-10 0-0 13; John DiBetta 6-14 0-2 13; Mike Benziger 4-9 2-3 11; Jovan Kandic 3-8 2-2 8; Brendan Flynn 3-6 0-0 7; Rich Riss 3-11 0-0 6; Eduardo Huezo 3-4 0-0 6; Kevin O'Rourke 2-4 0-0 5; Jerry Fiefie 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 30-69 4-7 71. VASSAR (2-2) Lawrence Avitabile 9-13 4-7 22; Seth Taft 7-10 0-0 18; Judson Winton 6-13 1-2 14; Will Byrne 1-9 3-3 5; Tyson Brazell 1-1 1-2 4; Kyle Dickmann 1-4 0-0 3; William Kieffer 1-6 1-6 3. Totals 26-56 10-20 69. Manhattanville College........ 33 38 - 71 Vassar........................ 34 35 - 69 3-point goals-Manhattanville College 7-22 (Donte Chisolm 3-5; Mike Benziger 1-5; Kevin O'Rourke 1-1; Brendan Flynn 1-2; John DiBetta 1-4; Rich Riss 0-4; Jovan Kandic 0-1), Vassar 7-18 (Seth Taft 4-6; Tyson Brazell 1-1; Judson Winton 1-3; Kyle Dickmann 1-3; Will Byrne 0-5). Fouled out--Manhattanville College-None, Vassar-None. Rebounds-Manhattanville College 38 (Jovan Kandic 9), Vassar 35 (William Kieffer 8). Assists-Manhattanville College 13 (Donte Chisolm 5; John DiBetta 5), Vassar 17 (Judson Winton 6). Total fouls-Manhattanville College 15, Vassar 9. A-50