Both Vassar and Union came into the night in contention for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Liberty League contest. A win by Vassar would have tied the two teams, but the loss gives Union a two game edge.
RPI's 77-55 loss to Skidmore leaves them at 4-6 in the conference tied with Vassar for fifth in the Liberty League.
The inside-outside combination of freshman forward Lawrence Avitable (Southington, CT/Southington) and junior guard Will Byrne (Chelmsford/MA) helped Vassar race to a 14-3 lead in the game's first seven minutes.
However, Union tightened on up on defense to hold Vassar scoreless over the next five minutes. Their methodical, balanced scoring attack cut the lead to 14-13, and the game would remain close from therein out.
Vassar remained in the lead until 14:28, when back-to-back three pointers by junior guard John Cagianello (Wethersfield, CT/Loomis Chafee) put Union ahead 40-37, their first lead since 2-0.
Cagianello would finish with a game high 24 points and 5 assists.
The team's traded buckets the rest of the way, neither team able to knock the other out. The play of the game came with 1:53 remaining and Union ahead 62-61. Vassar sophomore forward Will Keiffer (Chappaqua, NY/Horace Greeley) attempted to drive the lane, but had the ball knocked loose.
On the ensuing possession, Union sophomore guard Joe Mackey (Flushing, NY/Archbishop Molly) drained a three pointer for a 65-61 lead that Vassar could not overcome.
Curiously, Union was able to come back on the strength of three pointers and foul shooting. The Dutchmen did not hit a single field goal from inside the arc in the entire second half.
Vassar wasted one of their better shooting efforts of the season, going 20-of-48 from the floor, for a 41.8% shooting percentage.
Keiffer lead the Brewers with a season-high 18 points, while Avitable registered a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing game high 12 rebounds, 11 of them on the defensive end.
Vassar continues its quest for the playoffs when it hosts Skidmore in a Liberty League contest tomorrow. Meanwhile, Union travels to RPI. Both games tip-off at 4 p.m.
Union College vs Vassar 2/11/05 8:00 pm at Poughkeepsie, NY UNION COLLEGE 67, VASSAR 66 UNION COLLEGE (12-10, 6-5) John Cagianello 7-16 7-9 24; Joe Mackey 4-9 4-6 15; Brian Scordato 3-7 4-8 13; Devon Bruce 3-5 2-2 9; T.J. Ramey 1-5 0-3 2; Kyle Grimm 1-5 0-0 2; James Rahill 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 20-48 17-28 67. VASSAR (11-9, 4-6) William Kieffer 8-12 2-6 18; Lawrence Avitabile 6-12 2-4 14; Judson Winton 4-11 0-0 10; Seth Taft 4-10 0-0 9; Will Byrne 2-7 0-0 6; Daniel Forcella 1-3 0-0 3; Tyson Brazell 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 26-56 7-14 66. Union College................. 30 37 - 67 Vassar........................ 33 33 - 66 3-point goals-Union College 10-21 (Joe Mackey 3-5; Brian Scordato 3-4; John Cagianello 3-8; Devon Bruce 1-1; Kyle Grimm 0-1; T.J. Ramey 0-2), Vassar 7-21 (Will Byrne 2-7; Judson Winton 2-6; Daniel Forcella 1-3; Seth Taft 1-4; Tyson Brazell 1-1). Fouled out--Union College-Kyle Grimm, Vassar-Seth Taft. Rebounds-Union College 34 (Kyle Grimm 9), Vassar 29 (Lawrence Avitabile 12). Assists-Union College 15 (John Cagianello 5), Vassar 15 (Lawrence Avitabile 5). Total fouls-Union College 16, Vassar 22. A-300