Upstart Vassar came into the weekend looking to test its growth against Liberty League perennial powers Hobart and Hamilton. After a 72-60 loss last night, the Brewers hung with the Continentals into the second half. The game was hard-fought and physical, with the lead changing hands five times during the game.
Vassar overcame its size disadvantage in the first half by getting to the free-throw line and knocking down 12 of 15 attempts. Senior guard Seth Taft (Philadelphia, PA/Abington Friends) led the way, going 4-for-4 from the line, and scoring 12 first half points.
Down 39-37 at the break, Vassar opened the second-half strong and looked like it might take control. Taft converted a put-back to tie the game, and sophomore forward Will Keiffer (Chappaqua, NY/Horace Greeley) converted a driving lay-up to put the Brewers ahead 41-39. However, it would be the last time Vassar would lead.
Hamilton went with a bigger line-up and began to pound the Brewers inside. The turning point came at 13:56, with Hamilton in front 45-42. Vassar sophomore forward Evan Hannay (Longmeadow, MA/Longmeadow) was called for an intentional foul trying to stop a fast break by Hamilton sophomore guard Nick Jones (Washington, DC/St. Johns). Jones converted one of two shots, and junior forward Staunton Peck (Winnetka, IL, New Trier) hit a running lay-up for a six-point lead, spurring Hamiltons 17-2 run, and dashing Vassars hopes for an upset.
Vassars outside shooting went frigid down the stretch, as the team went just 5-26 (19.2%) from the floor in the second half. Hamilton controlled the glass, out rebounding Vassar, 42-27, rarely giving the Brewers any second chances.
Hamilton continued to pull away by dominating the paint in the offensive zone. Sophomore forward Tsakani Ngobeni (Soweto, S. Africa/St. Annes-Belfield School) led the way, scoring a team high 16 points and pulling in 9 rebounds. Freshman center Giorgi Chavleishvilli also played strong contributing 12 points and 7 rebounds.
Taft led the Brewers in scoring with 16 points.
Vassar hits the road next weekend with a pair of Liberty League games on Friday and Saturday at Union and Skidmore.
Hamilton College vs Vassar 1/29/05 4:00 p.m. at Poughkeepsie, NY HAMILTON COLLEGE 77, VASSAR 54 HAMILTON COLLEGE (10-7, 5-2) Tsakani Ngobeni 6-11 4-4 16; Giorgi Chavleishvili 5-10 2-3 12; Paul Valenti 5-6 0-0 11; Staunton Peck 4-7 0-0 8; Tim Welchons 3-10 1-1 8; Mike Evans 3-11 0-0 8; John Fleming 3-3 0-0 6; Nick Jones 1-2 1-2 3; Chris Moore 1-4 1-3 3; Jeff Bernardi 0-1 2-4 2; Rob Toste 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-66 11-17 77. VASSAR (10-7, 3-4) Seth Taft 5-10 4-4 16; William Kieffer 4-13 3-3 11; Lawrence Avitabile 3-8 4-8 10; Judson Winton 2-7 5-7 10; Joe Ward 1-3 0-0 2; Tyson Brazell 1-5 0-0 2; Will Byrne 0-3 2-2 2; Daniel Forcella 0-1 1-2 1; Jonathan Swartz 0-1 0-0 0; Ross Weingarten 0-1 0-0 0; Kyle Magnus 0-1 0-0 0; Evan Hannay 0-1 0-0 0; Aldis Butler 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 16-57 19-26 54. Hamilton College.............. 39 38 - 77 Vassar........................ 37 17 - 54 3-point goals-Hamilton College 4-18 (Mike Evans 2-9; Tim Welchons 1-4; Paul Valenti 1-1; Chris Moore 0-1; Staunton Peck 0-3), Vassar 3-15 (Seth Taft 2-6; Judson Winton 1-4; Joe Ward 0-2; Will Byrne 0-1; Daniel Forcella 0-1; Aldis Butler 0-1). Fouled out--Hamilton College-None, Vassar-None. Rebounds-Hamilton College 42 (Tsakani Ngobeni 9), Vassar 27 (Lawrence Avitabile 7). Assists-Hamilton College 14 (Mike Evans 3; Nick Jones 3; Tim Welchons 3), Vassar 8 (Judson Winton 3). Total fouls-Hamilton College 21, Vassar 17. A-250