Box Score

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Rensselaer (4-1) went on a decisive 8-0 run late in the game and the Red Hawks spoiled Middlebury’s home opener with a 69-64 win over the Panthers in Pepin Gym.

Middlebury (2-3) jumped out to a 10-2 lead early, holding Rensselaer scoreless for the game’s first 4:53. The Red Hawks battled back to tie the game at 24-24 on a hoop from Sam Simmons with 5:03 remaining in the first half. Rensselaer later took its first lead of the game before back-to-back three’s from Middlebury’s Andrew Harris gave the Panthers a 33-28 lead at halftime.

The game remained tight until late in the game when the Red Hawks spurt gave them some breathing room as Ricky Philatre hit a pair of shots during the decisive run. Middlebury battled back and cut the lead to four on a hoop from Ben Rudin with 35 seconds remaining, but that’s as close as they’d come.

Simmons paced Rensselaer with 13 points.  Neal Wesson had 11 points with seven rebounds and five assists, while Kris Kowalczyk netted 10 for the Red Hawks, who shot 72.2% (13 of 18) from the free throw line to the Panthers 32.1% (9 for 28).

Harris led the Panthers with a game-high 21 points, including four three’s, while Aaron Smith scored 11 and grabbed six boards. Ben Rudin scored 10 points with four assists, while Evan Thompson had eight points and 10 rebounds.