POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.—Vassar College ground out a 69-65 Liberty League men's basketball win over Skidmore College, Friday night.  

The Thoroughbreds are 7-6 and 2-3 in Liberty League play, while the Brewers improve to 6-7 and 2-2.

Erik Sanders went 8-8 from the free throw line to lead Skidmore with 17 points. Edvinas Rupkus added 14 points, five rebounds, four steals and five rebounds before fouling out. Royce Paris contributed nine points and four assists.

Paul Grinde (18) and Erikson Wasyl (17) combined for 35 points for Vassar.

The physical contest saw the teams whistled for a combined 51 fouls.  

The Thoroughbreds used a 9-3 first half run to takes it biggest lead of the game, 27-18, with 6:13 left.

After trailing 34-29 during halftime, the Brewers battled back to take a lead with just under 17:00 to play, 37-36.  There were 10 lead changes the rest of the way, with Vassar taking the lead for good, 49-48 with 9:26 to play.

Skidmore travels to Bard College on Saturday for a 4 p.m. game.

Coach Burke:
What a disappointing game. We did not play well as a group in any facet. We will continue to try different combinations to find a more competitive and cohesive group to put on the floor.  An inconsistent team is a bad team and that is what we are right now.