Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Behind 68.4% shooting and double digit efforts from four players, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) downed Southern Vermont College, 92-68, in non-conference men’s basketball action this afternoon. The Red Hawks to move to 5-6 overall while the Mountaineers drop to 3-10.

Rensselaer, which never trailed in the game, got things started early with a 13-6 lead through the first four minutes. Leading by eight with 7:05 remaining, senior Devin Galvin (Newburyport, MA/Newburyport) extended the Red Hawks lead to 12 (34-22) after he caused a turnover and took the ball in for the easy bucket.

A three-pointer from senior Kris Kowalczyk (Troy, NY/Colonie), who went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in the first half, made it a 15-point advantage and RPI went into the half with a 46-28 lead. Senior Nick Harrington (Brooklyn, NY/Grady), who led all scorers with 28 points, paced the Mountaineers in the opening frame with 13 points.

Rensselaer continued to pressure in the opening minutes of the second half, widening its lead to 20 off a jumper by senior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh) at the 13-minute mark.

Shooting an impressive 72.0% in the second half, the Red Hawks led by as many as 28 points after a 6-0 run which included four consecutive free throws from Galvin. Kowalczyk, who was 5-for-6 from three-point range in the game, gave RPI a 79-49 lead but the Mountaineers began to mount a comeback. Consecutive shots from beyond the arc by freshmen Ian Gray (Philadelphia, PA/Norristown) and Tim Johnson (Bernardsville, NJ/Bernards) closed the gap to 84-57 but it wouldn’t be enough.

The Red Hawks, who reached 90+ points in a game for the first time since defeating Vassar 90-83 in overtime on Jan. 17, 2006, saw Simmons add six rebounds. Kowalczyk finished with 17 points while Galvin and senior Sam Zullo (Indian Lake, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) chipped in with 10 points each.

For Southern Vermont, Harrington added 10 rebounds in addition to his 28 points. Freshman Brendan Kordana (Adams, MA/Hoosac Valley) poured in 18 points while Johnson added ten.

RPI returns to action on Friday night when it opens Liberty League play against Hobart at Robison Gym (8pm). The Red Hawks host Hamilton on Saturday (4pm). Southern Vermont is back in action on Tuesday when it hosts Vermont Technical College.