POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - First year Kas Mirza poured in a career-high 18 points off the bench while junior Parker Neuenhaus dropped a game-high 23 points to lead the third-seeded Vassar College Men's Basketball team to a 67-64 comeback victory over sixth-seeded Skidmore on Tuesday evening to advance to the Liberty League semifinals.
Vassar improves to 18-8 overall which matches the second-most wins in a single season in program history and the Brewers will take on second-seeded Union on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Skidmore's season comes to a close at 13-13 overall.
First Half
- Skidmore raced out to an 11-2 lead in the opening six minutes behind six points from Nick Padilla, a three from Charlie Fantom, and a bucket from Jack LaGarde.
- Vassar got back within four at 15-11 at the 10:45 mark following two makes from Neuenhaus, a three from Mirza and two free throws from junior Shea Fitzgerald.
- Two free throws from Neuenhaus and another triple from Mirza put the Brewers ahead for the first time with 10 minutes left in the half.
- The two teams traded the lead over the next few minutes before the Thoroughbreds pulled ahead 25-21 on a jumper from Aidan Roy and a lay-in from Will Ameden.
- A three from Fitzgerald and another Neuenhaus layup brought Vassar within one at the 3:15 mark but a quick 7-0 run from the Thoroughbreds gave them a 34-26 lead with a minute left on a Will Wertz make.
- Mirza's jumper along with a fast break lay-in from junior Eric Zhang in the final 45 seconds cut the halftime deficit to 34-30.
- Vassar finished the first half shooting 32.1-percent overall while going 3-for-10 from three-point range and 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
- Skidmore concluded the opening 20 minutes shooting 46.4-percent from the field and connected on 3-for-11 from three and 5-for-6 from the free throw stripe.
Second Half
- Skidmore's lead grew to nine points twice in the first three minutes of the second half as Joey Skoric's three-pointer gave the Thoroughbreds a 44-35 lead.
- Another three from Roy regained Skidmore's nine-point advantage before a 7-0 Vassar run, led by four points from Fitzgerald and a three from Mirza, cut the deficit to two with 12:19 to go.
- Following a Fantom three to go ahead 52-47, the Brewers used six straight Neuenhaus points to take a 53-52 lead with 9:01 remaining in regulation.
- Vassar's lead expanded to 59-54 after two Neuenhaus buckets and a dunk from senior Nathan Denham with just over six minutes left.
- Skoric's three reduced the lead to two following the dunk before Neuenhaus countered with a triple to regain the five-point advantage.
- Both teams were held scoreless over the next four minutes as the next made bucket came from LaGarde with 1:19 to go and brought Skidmore within three.
- Two made free throws from Fitzgerald moved the lead back to five until Skoric converted on two free throws with 26 seconds left to trim the lead to 64-61.
- Fitzgerald sank two more key free throws with 24 seconds to go until Padilla's layup with 16 seconds left reduced the lead back down to three.
- Junior Kreekor Karageuzian made a free throw to make it a two possession game with 14 seconds remaining before Padilla was fouled with four seconds left.
- Padilla made one of two from the free throw line, leading to another Skidmore foul to send Vassar back to the free throw.
- Following a pair of missed free throws, the Thoroughbreds got off a half court heave that was no good as the Brewers earned its first postseason victory since 2022.
- Vassar finished the second half shooting 39.3-percent overall, including 3-for-10 from three, and converted 12-for-15 from the free throw line.
- Skidmore was held to 29.0-percent from the field while going 5-for-14 from three-point range and 7-for-8 from the free throw stripe.
For The Brewers
- Neuenhaus garnered a game-high 23 points (10-for-19), seven rebounds and two blocks while Mirza tallied a career-high 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting (4-for-7 from three).
- Fitzgerald tallied 18 points, which ranks him tied for fourth all-time in Vassar scoring history at 1,298 career points, and eight rebounds.
- Junior Kreekor Karageuzian handed out a team-high seven assists along with Zinn posting three points, seven boards and two blocks.
For The Thoroughbreds
- Skoric finished with a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds and added four blocks and three steals.
- LaGarde totaled 12 points and four rebounds along with Fantom scoring 12 points.
- Roy registered 11 points, seven assists and four boards while Padilla chipped in nine points.
Game Statistics
- Vassar finished the game shooting 35.7-percent from the field and connected on six threes along with 21-for-25 from the free throw line.
- Skidmore closed the matchup shooting 37.3-percent overall, including 8-for-25 from three, and went 12-for-14 from the free throw stripe.
- VC outscored the Thoroughbreds 13-6 in second chance points and 26-24 in points in the paint.
- Skidmore held a 12-7 edge in points off turnovers.
Up Next
- Vassar will travel to second-seeded Union on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. for a Liberty League semifinal matchup.