Buzzer-Beater Lifts Vassar Over Clarkson, 78-76

POTSDAM — Mason Dyslin tipped in the buzzer-beating shot for the Vassar College men’s basketball team (6-17, 2-12 Liberty) to escape with a 78-76 win at Clarkson University (12-11, 7-7 Liberty) on Saturday.

The game-winner capped an eight-point performance for Dyslin, who finished with a season-best 10 boards, helping the Brewers out-rebound the Golden Knights 32-26. Alex Seff totaled 28 points and 10 boards, while Jesse Browne contributed 17 points and six assists. Mattie Mrlik also matched a personal-best with eight points, as the Vassar bench outscored the Clarkson reserves, 20-9.

The Brewers were lights-out from all over the floor, shooting 57 percent from the floor and 40 percent (8-of-16) from downtown, while holding the home team to 47 and 36 percent, respectively.

Derek Hart poured in 36 points, while Drew Zlogar added 13 as the only other Golden Knight to reach double figures in the scoring column.

The Brewers came out focused and ready to play, jumping out to a double-digit lead within the first five minutes. Mattie Mrlik drained back-to-back threes to cap the early run and give Vassar an 18-7 advantage at the 14:28 mark.

The Brewers kept their opponents at arm’s length the rest of the half. Seff and Browne combined to score the final 16 points for VC, as the Brewers carried a 42-30 advantage into the break.

Vassar sustained its momentum early in the second half. Seff gave the Brewers their final double-digit lead of the game with a layup midway through the period, 63-53, before the Golden Knights started to chip away.

Hart put the team on his back, scoring 12 straight points for the Golden Knights. He capped his run with a layup to make it a five-point, 72-67, game at the three-minute mark. That’s when Ellis took over, scoring seven straight for Clarkson, 76-74. Hart knotted the game at 76-all with a layup with just 14 seconds to go.

After missing a layup, the Brewers grabbed three offensive boards before Dyslin finally tipped in the game-winning layup as the final horn sounded.

Vassar concludes its three-game road trip at Bard College on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m.