SCHENECTADY, NY -- Junior guard Deshon Burgess scored his 1,000th career point and the Union College men's basketball team moved into a first place tie in the Liberty League with a 74-48 home victory over Vassar College at the Viniar Athletic Center Friday night. The Dutchmen won their fifth straight to improve to 8-5 in the league (tied with St. Lawrence and Skidmore for first) and 11-10 overall while the Brewers are now 7-6 in league play (tied with RIT for second) and 11-11 for the season.

Burgess scored off an offensive rebound with a layup with 1:50 remaining in the first half to become the 21st player in Union men's basketball history to reach the historic mark. He joined teammate William Hython, who achieved the feat one week ago tonight at St. Lawrence, and Hython was honored prior to this, his first home game since scoring his 1,000th. Burgess was recognized at the start of tonight's second half.

Union trailed 28-27 at halftime but outscored Vassar, 47-20 in the second half. Burgess finished with a game best 22 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Hython had a game high 13 rebounds. Zachary Bouton scored a career high 18 points on six of eight shooting, including five for six from three point territory. Wade McNamara added 10 points. Union had a 48-38 rebounding advantage over Vassar and shot 42% while forcing 17 turnovers. The 48 points were a season best defensive effort by Union.

Paul Grinde led the Brewers with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Alex Seff also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Erikson Wasyl had 11 points for the Brewers, who shot 36% but were held to 30% shooting in the second half.

Vassar led 31-29 with 18:53 left in the second half. But Union then went on a 13-4 run over the next 4:09 led by seven points from McNamara. Vassar got as close as six at 46-40 on a three by Wasyl with 13:19 to play, but over the next 5:58, the Dutchmen outscored the Brewers, 18-4 and the 26 point margin at the end was the highest of the night.

Also prior to the game, after honoring Hython, Union recognized the achievements of Ryan Whelpley and Vassar's Wasyl to the fans in attendance. They were the two players from the Liberty League to be named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Men's Basketball Team for NCAA Division III this week.