POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 4, 2012) – A resilient Vassar College men's basketball team battled back from a 20-6 run and a 16-0 run to cut visiting Union College's lead to single-digits thrice in the second half; but the Brewers comeback fell short as Union won 77-64 on Saturday at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

Union's runs came at crucial junctures of the game as the visitors opened the game with a 20-6 lead, closed the first half with a 10-0 spurt, and followed it with a 6-0 run to start the second frame.

The Brewers (6-13, 2-8) host Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Tuesday, February 7 at 8:00 p.m. at the Athletics and Fitness Center.  Union (14-6, 7-5) improves its winning streak to five games and faces Hobart College in Liberty League action at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Dutchmen started off hot, hitting five of their first six shots—all from beyond the arc—jumping out to a 15-6 lead that they eventually extended to 20-6 within the first seven minutes. Keith Callies scored 11 of Union's first 20 points with three threes and a fast break layup. Evan Croll scored the other nine for Union with three three-pointers of his own.

The two teams traded baskets, with Union holding a 26-15 lead; but a 13-6 Vassar run cut the Dutchmen's margin to four, 32-28 with 4:38 to go in the first half. Jon Herzog had eight of the 13 points including two threes and a nifty jumper in the paint, while Johnny Mrlik notched the other five with a three pointer and pair of free throws.

Union weathered the storm, finishing the half on a 10-0 run, entering the locker room with a 42-28 lead. The Dutchmen extended their run with six straight points to start the second half, for a 20-point lead before Vassar staged its comeback.

The Brewers countered with a 16-4 run of their own, led by Herzog with seven points—a pair of layups and a bucket from distance. Freshman center Alex Snyder capped the run with a pair of layups to cut the margin to eight, 52-44 with 11:21 to play. While Vassar equaled that mark with a pair of Mrlik free throws to cut Union's lead to 62-54 with 5:31 remaining, the Brewers would draw no closer.

Herzog led all players with a season-high 19 points on 8-14 shooting, one of four Brewers to finish the game in double figures. Senior Nick Justiz (14 points), Mrlik (13 points) and Snyder (10 points) were the other three.

Callies led Union with 18 points on 6-8 shooting from the field, including 4-5 from long-range.

Prior to the game, a moment of silence was observed for the recent passing of men's basketball alumnus Jon Swartz '08 and 2008-2009 volunteer assistant coach Karanvir Aujla.