TROY, N.Y.— Vassar College won its first Liberty League men's basketball title 65-48 over Skidmore College Sunday afternoon at the RPI ECAV arena.
 
The Thoroughbreds end their season at 15-11, while the 18-8 Brewers head to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Greg Skoric led Skidmore with 16 points and nine rebounds. Riley Greene added 12 points and four assists.
 
Tournament MVP Jack Rothenberg led four Vassar with 16 points to go along with 16 rebounds. Zach Johnson (15), Ethan Ellis (11) and Avni Mustafaj (12) all scored in double figures.
 
"I just need to say thank you to this team," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke. "I am beyond proud of what they were able to accomplish. People don't know the half of what they have endured and yet they gave me everything right till the end."
 
The Thoroughbreds shook off a slow start, methodically erasing an early eight-point deficit when Riley Greene drilled a three to tie it 17-17 with 9:05 left. The Brewers went on a 9-0 run to go back up 26-17 with 3:25 to play in the half. Vassar stretched the lead to 33-22 at the break.
 
Skidmore was 8-29 (27.6) from the floor in the first half, while Vassar hit 14 of 33 (42.4%).
 
The Thoroughbreds scored the first eight points, including six by Greene, of the second half to get it to a one possession game, 33-30 at the 16:10 mark.  Vassar responded with an 18-1 run to open a 51-34 lead with 10:28 to play.
 
Skidmore battled back and cut it to 11, 55-44 on a Lamport three with 5:22 left. That was as close as The Thoroughbreds would get.
 
Vassar held the Thoroughbreds to their lowest point total of the season and had a 50-35 rebound advantage.
 
"This program just made it seventh appearance in the conference championship game in the last 11 seasons," Burke added. "They refused to quit. Unfortunately, I think our journey took a toll on us as we just ran out of gas today. Congrats to Vassar and Coach Mee who has done a terrific job and they will represent our league well in the NCAA Tournament.
 
"For us, we will reload.  This team is really young and it should be a fun off season as we get better and add some depth to the roster. We will expect to win next year as we do every year, that's just what our culture demands."