Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Led by an 18-point performance from senior Andrew Harris (Waterbury Center, VT/Harwood), the Middlebury College men’s basketball team defeated Rensselaer, 63-54, at the Robison Gym this evening. With the win the Panthers improve to 4-1 on the season, while the Red Hawks fall to 1-3.

After a first half that saw both teams shoot below 35% from the floor, the Red Hawks held a 23-18 advantage. RPI held the Panthers to just 25.8% shooting in the opening stanza, including 0-10 from beyond the 3-point line.

The Red Hawks got 11 first-half points from senior forward Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) on 4-8 shooting. He also grabbed five first-half rebounds. Junior Aaron Smith (Goshen, NY/Goshen) and freshman Andrew Locke (Seattle, WA/Lakeside School) pace the Panthers first half scorers with four points apiece.

Middlebury came out shooting to start the second half, and took a 26-23 lead at 17:57 that they would not relinquish. Harris, who was 0-6 from the floor in the first half, went 6-12 in the second half, including 4-9 from 3-point range.

The Panthers took their biggest lead of the game at the 14:53, when Harris hit a three-pointer from the corner to make it 37-25. Middlebury shot 53.3% from the floor in the second half, including 53.8% from three-point range.

The Red Hawks cut the Middlebury lead to 53-50 with less than five minutes to play, but the Panthers were able to pull away, making key three-pointers and free throws down the stretch.

Simmons finished with a game-high 20 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in 34 minutes for the Red Hawks. Ricky Philatre (Randolph, MA/Randolph) added nine points and nine boards. Senior Mike Walsh (Needham, MA/Belmont Hill) scored 11 points and added six rebounds in aid of Harris’ 18 points and four boards for Middlebury.

The Red Hawks return to action on Tuesday night when they travel to Bennington, VT to take on Southern Vermont. Tip-Off is set for 7pm. The Panthers host Union on Saturday at 3:00pm.