Vassar jumped out to a 17-8 lead at the 10:42 mark of the first half. The Bombers answered by connecting on eight-straight shots, including three-pointers by junior forward Dominic Scanlon (Oswego/Oswego) and Burton, to pull within two (26-24) at 4:44. However, Vassar held a 42-33 advantage heading into halftime.

 

Ithaca shot 34.3% from the floor and 87.5% from the line in the first. Vassar shot 48.5% from the floor but only 53.3% from the line. The Bombers grabbed 26 rebounds compared to 18 by the Brewers.

 

Vassar controlled play early in the second and had their largest lead of the game (64-47) at 9:38 remaining. The Bombers made a late push with three-pointers by Leahy and junior guard Alex Adrien (Blair Academy [N.J.]/Selden) to pull within six (82-76) with 0:21 remaining. Vassar free-throws secured a win and a place in the finals Saturday at 2 p.m.

 

In the second half, the Bombers shot 50.0% from the field and 60.0% from the three-point line. They finished with 41.8% from the floor, 42.1% from three-point range and 70.6% from the free-throw line. The Brewers ended with 45.3% from the floor, 33.3% from three-point line and 53.5% from the free-throw line.

 

 Vassar was lead by junior forward Lawrence Avitabile (Southington/Southington, Conn.) and junior guard Tyson Brazell (Waterford School/Salt Lake City, Utah), each scored 20 points. Avitabile also registered a team-high 13 rebounds, five steals and four blocks. Sophomore guard Brian Butterworth (Hamilton-Wenham/Hamilton, Mass.) and sophomore forward Joe Davis (St. Joseph’s Institute/East Amherst) each scored 10 points.