POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Freshman Rance Russo scored a career-high 24 points as the Elizabethtown College men's basketball team topped Vassar, 71-65 at the opening day of the Hochberg Family Tip-Off Tournament Friday night.

With the win, the Blue Jays move to 2-0 on the season, while the Brewers drop their season opener.

Russo finished the game 8-16 overall and 4-8 from three to tally 24 points. Senior Aidan Trynosky also finished with a career-high 16 points while junior Jalin Robinson registered 12 points of his own.

Vassar was led by junior Zach Johnson who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. 

Down eight points (21-13) midway through the first half, Etown began to climb back into the game with a 14-2 run capped off by Russo completing an and-one with 7:20 remaining in the first half to make the score 24-23 in favor of Blue Jays.

Etown controlled the momentum the remainder of the half, pushing its advantage to eight points after a three-pointer by Trynosky with five second remaining in the opening stanza, giving the Blue Jays a 43-35 lead going into the locker room.

Elizabethtown continued to hold onto the momentum in the second half, pushing its advantage to 12 points (61-49) after a layup by Robinson with 7:25 remaining in the second half.

The Brewers would close within one (63-62) but the Blue Jays would hold them there, pushing its advantage back to seven after a Robinson free throw made the score 70-63. Etown would ride this final surge to the 71-65 victory.

The Blue Jays finished the game 27-58 (46.6%) from the field and shot 40.9% (9-22) from beyond the arch. Vassar shot 44.3% (27-61) overall and were 6-23 (26.1%) from three.

Elizabethtown moves onto the championship game of the Hochberg Family Tip-Off Tournament against Wesleyan on Saturday, November 13. Opening tip is set for 3 p.m.