Junior co-captain Garrett Sharlow recorded 27 points and three other Saints scored in double figures to lift the St. Lawrence University men's basketball team to a 71-56 victory over Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on Saturday night.

The Saints improve to 1-1 in Liberty League play (5-7 overall) while Vassar falls to 1-1 in the conference (3-10 overall).

"We played harder today," said St. Lawrence Head Coach Chris Downs. "We bought ourselves another week but we have to play much harder and tougher if we want to make the Liberty League tournament."

Sharlow, whose 27 points matches his career-high, went 12-of-17 from the floor and grabbed nine rebounds. Junior Ralph Temgoua recorded 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while sophomore Kyle Miller also added 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Junior Terry Parham rounded out the double digit scorers for the Saints with 11 points, going 4-of-6 from the field.

The Saints jumped out to a 14-8 lead on a 3-pointer by Miller at the 9:43 mark. The Brewers then took advantage of a three minute scoreless drought, taking a 23-16 lead with 5:31 to go in the half. The Saints' defense held Vassar scoreless for the remaining 5:31 of the half to take a 33-23 advantage into the locker rooms.

The Scarlet and Brown would not relinquish its lead and held a double digit advantage for the entire second half, earning a split on the opening weekend of Liberty League play.

St. Lawrence will host Union College on January 21st in the Burkman Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm.