POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.—Vassar College posted a 78-66 Liberty League men's basketball win over Skidmore College Saturday evening.
 
The loss drops the Thoroughbreds to 12-9 overall and 8-7 in Liberty League play. The Brewers are 15-6 and 11-4.
 
Skidmore remains in fourth place with two games to play in league standings. The Thoroughbreds are ½ game ahead of fifth place St. Lawrence, with Union and Hobart a game back in sixth place.
 
Ty Lamport scored 17 points and had five rebounds, three assists and two blocks before fouling out. Jake Walsh scored a career-high 16 points and Harrison Eichelberger added 12 points and had five assists.
 
Zach Johnson led the Brewers with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Jack Rothenberg scored 19 and Avni Mustafaj 15.
 
There were six lead changes in a tight first half. Skidmore had an early 14-8 lead when Eichelberger scored on fast break at the 14:51 mark. It was a two-possession game the rest of the half, with Vassar up 38-33.
 
The Brewers opened the half with a 16-5 advantage to push the lead to 15, 54-39 with 13:57 to play. Mark Engel's three-pointer with 5:20 left, pulled the Thoroughbreds to within five, 62-57. That was as close as it would get, with the Brewers using an 11-2 run to put the game away.
 
"I thought our guys gave a great effort on both nights but we just came up short," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke.
 
"It is disappointing that this group is playing short-handed because of Covid," Burke added. "This is an NCAA tournament team when we are together and in rhythm.
 
"The positive is that we get to regroup this week and try and piece things together for the weekend. Our playoffs have to start on Friday."
 
Skidmore heads North to close out the regular season at St. Lawrence on Friday and Clarkson on Saturday.