Box Score

SCHENECTADY, NY (January 7, 2012) -- The Vassar College men's basketball team trailed for most of the game but took the lead with just over a minute remaining, hitting clutch free throws down the stretch to knock off Union College 72-67 in League action on Saturday at Viniar Athletic Center.

The Brewers were down 37-28 at intermission and outscored Union 44-30 in the second half for the comeback victory. Union led by as many as 16 points with a 54-38 lead with 13:43 remaining, but Vassar found its range in an 11-minute 24-8 run to tie the game at 62-62. Freshman Johnny Mrlik scored nine of his 14 points on three 3-pointers during the run and senior Ethan Shanley chipped in with seven points.

The Brewers (5-5, 1-1 Liberty) host Bard College on Tuesday, January 10, at 8:00 p.m. at the Athletics and Fitness Center. The Dutchmen (7-3, 0-2 Liberty) face Hobart College on the road on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.

Vassar senior Nick Justiz hit a three and a free throw to give Vassar the lead for the first time in the second half at 66-64 with with 1:40 left to play. Union tied the game at 66-66 on the next possession with a layup by Joe Mason.

Shanley put Vassar ahead for the final time with a pair of free throws for a 68-66 lead with 1:03 left to play. In the final minute, Vassar made all four free throws and Union made one as Vassar held on for the 72-67 win.

In the second half, Vassar went 7-for-10 from 3-point range and 13-for-14 from the free throw line while Union went 2-for-11 from beyond the arc and 4-for-7 from the charity stripe. The Brewers shot 48.0 percent from the floor while holding Union to a 37.5 shooting percentage in the second half.

Shanley led all scorers with a career-high 18 points. Mrlik went 4-for-4 from 3-point range and had 14 points. Freshman Alex Snyder was just shy of a double-double with nine points, a game-high nine rebounds, and five assists.

Rusmir Dzanko led Union with 13 points and six boards. Mason tallied 11 points and a game-high eight assists.