ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Nate Vernon scored eight of his game-high 20 points in the final 3:20 to help the University of Rochester rally past visiting Brandeis University, 77-73, in a men's basketball game at the Louis Alexander Palestra on Friday night.
Vernon's efforts helped Rochester coach Luke Flockerzi earn his 100th career victory. This is his fourth year at Rochester (70-44) and his seventh year overall (100-79). The Yellowjackets are 9-14 overall, 3-9 in the University Athletic Association.
Tyler Sankes added 15 points and 11 rebounds for Rochester. Mack Montague scored 12 points and Jared Seltzer scored 10.
Derek Retos led Brandeis (12-11, 4-8) with 16 points in 29 minutes off the bench. He sank four 3-point goals. Alex Stoyle had 12 points and seven rebounds. Gabriel Moton scored 11 points.
Two free throws by Stoyle pushed Brandeis ahead, 68-67, with 4:37 left. Retos sank a 3-pointer from in front of his own bench, stretching the lead to four, 71-67, with 3:58 on the clock. Vernon's 3-pointer from the right corner made it a one point game, 71-70, at 3:20.
Stoyle answered with a jumper 16 seconds later (73-70 BU) and Vernon tied the score at 73-73 with another trey from the right corner at 2:24. Kevin Sheehy's layup put Rochester ahead, 75-73, at 1:34.
After a series of misses both ways, Moton tried to drive the lane with 11 seconds to go. His runner missed. Sankes rebounded and shuffled the ball to Vernon who was fouled. He sank both ends of the double bonus to give Rochester the four-point lead and final score
Neither team led by more than six. Brandeis went on a 14-5 run over five-plus minutes to build a 39-33 lead with 4:18 left in the first half. Retos scored five of the 14 points. The Judges led, 43-40, at halftime.
Rochester opened the second half with a 13-4 spurt, moving in front 53-47, in the first five minutes. Seltzer scored four of the 13 points. The lead peaked at six two more times, the last on a layup by Sam Borst-Smith (62-56 with 9:06 left).