Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s basketball team shot 64.0% in the first half and went on to defeat Hobart, 65-50, in its Liberty League opener. Freshman Jeremy Bull (Woodbridge, PA/St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School) scored a game-high 16 points, as the Red Hawks improve to 6-5 overall (1-0 Liberty League). The Statesmen fall to 5-8 (0-1 Liberty League).

After trailing in the opening moments of the game, Rensselaer scored 18 of the next 27 points to take an 18-12 lead at the 13:06 of the first half.

A Kris Kowalczyk (Troy, NY/Colonie) three-pointer with one minute remaining in the first half gave the Red Hawks a 36-27 lead. Hobart freshman Robert Estep (York, PA/West York Area) then made a jumper to bring the Statesmen within seven before halftime.

The defense tightened in the second half as Rensselaer held Hobart to 25% shooting and just 21 second half points. The Red Hawks shot just 33.3% in the second stanza.

Mark Bruce (Fairport, NY/Fairport) brought the Statesmen to within 57-50 with two minutes to play in the game, but a pair of Bull free throws pushed the Red Hawks’ lead to nine on their next trip down the floor.

Senior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh) scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while classmate Henrik Schou (Copenhagen, Denmark/EB Ersteinska) came off the bench to score nine points and pick up seven boards.

Estep and fellow freshman Tim Llewellyn (York, PA/West York Area) each had 11 points. Classmate Adam Salzmann (Connelly, NY/Kingston) added seven points and 10 rebounds.

Rensselaer returns to action tomorrow afternoon, when it matches up with Hamilton College (4pm).