Box Score

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Junior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh) went 6 of 12 from the floor with a game-high 16 points to lead Rensselaer to a 67-53 victory over Skidmore in Liberty League men’s basketball action this evening. With the victory, Rensselaer improves to 12-9 overall and 5-5 in the Liberty League. The Thoroughbreds are now 2-19 and 1-10.

Skidmore came out firing in the first half, going on an 11-0 run for a 15-4 lead at 13:38. The Thoroughbreds, which shot 44.0% in the opening frame, saw senior Jonah Haviland-Markowitz (Brooklyn, NY/Packer Collegiate Inst.) post four points during the stretch for a team-high 14 total.

Simmons helped the Red Hawks back into the contest, scoring six of his 16 points during a 6-2 run during the four-minute mark to pull RPI within a point. Junior Sam Zullo (Indian Lake, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) tied things up at 25-all with 3:50 remaining and Rensselaer headed into the locker room with a 32-28 lead at halftime.

Opening the second half on a 5-0 run, Rensselaer took control of the game at 13:13 behind a three-pointer from senior Michael Visker (Essex, VT/Essex), who finished with 13 points in the game. Sophomore Kris Kowalczyk (Troy, NY/Colonie) also drained a shot from behind the arc to make it 49-37 at 12:49.

Despite a 17-point deficit (65-48) with just under three minutes on the clock, Skidmore fought back into the contest behind shots from Haviland-Markowitz and freshman Jon Douglas (Shutesbury, MA/Amherst Regional), but could not overcome the deficit.

In addition to Simmons, who added five rebounds, RPI got four rebounds from Visker and nine points and a game-high nine caroms from junior Graham Gordon (Mt. Vernon, NY/Iona Prep).

For Skidmore, Douglas added 11 points and four rebounds while sophomore Matt Belisto (New York, NY/Collegiate School) chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds.

The Red Hawks are back in action tomorrow afternoon for a contest at area-rival Union (4pm). Skidmore returns to the court on Saturday hosting Vassar (4pm).