Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. - Junior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) scored 21 points with 11 rebounds but Ithaca used a 22-8 run over a ten-minute span in the second half on its way to an 80-69 win over Rensselaer in the first round of the ECAC Tournament. RPI, the fifth-seed, falls to 13-13, while Ithaca is now 15-12.

The homestanding Bombers, who trailed by three at the half (37-34), got 29 points from sophomore guard Sean Burton (Yorkville, NY/Notre Dame) and 20 points and 13 rebounds from sophomore center Jeff Bostic (Geneva, NY/Geneva).  Two other also reached double digits.

In addition to Simmons, who also had three blocked shots and two steals, two other scored in double figures for RPI. Senior guard Neal Wesson (Portsmouth, RI/Portsmouth) had 12 points and six rebounds, while junior guard Kris Kowalczyk (Colonie, NY/Colonie) had 12 points.