Box Score

HARTFORD, Conn. – Led by double figure efforts from four different players, including a game-high 20 points by junior Kris Johnson, Eastern Connecticut State defeated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 79-74, in first round action at the Trinity College Tournament. The Warriors improve to 6-3 while the Red Hawks fall to 3-6.

Eastern Connecticut State opened the game on an 11-0 run, going up 14-3 at 14:39. Behind a jumper by freshman DJ Blakemore (Bloomfield Township, MI/Lahser) with two seconds left, Rensselaer trailed by seven points (39-32) at halftime.

In the second half, a three-point shot by RPI senior Kris Kowalczyk (Troy, NY/Colonie) cut the Warriors lead to two (43-41) and a follow up layup by classmate Sam Zullo (Indian Lake, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) tied it at 43-all with 16:24 remaining.

But the draw would be short-lived after a three-pointer and a layup from junior Kris Johnson (Sturbridge, MA/Tantasqua Regional) gave Eastern Connecticut State a five-point lead.

Taking its first lead of the game off a bucket by Blakemore at 10:08, Rensselaer battled back and forth with the Warriors, tying things once more at 69-all with just 5:02 remaining.

Junior Larry Kelley’s (New Haven,CT/Hill Regional Career) shot from beyond the arc put Eastern Connecticut State ahead once more and the Warriors would not relinquish the lead.

Johnson led all scorers with 20 points while Kelley added 12 points. Freshman Courtney Simmons (Middletown, CT/Xavier) also had 12 points and senior Leon Martin (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug) chipped in 10 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

For Rensselaer, senior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh) posted 18 points and six rebounds. Kowalczyk added 14 points while Blakemore chipped in with 12 points. Sophomore Ricky Philatre (Randolph, MA/Randolph), who had eight points, also recorded a game and season-high 14 rebounds.

The Red Hawks will play Maine Maritime tomorrow afternoon in the tournament’s consolation round. Tip-off is set for 1:30pm. Eastern Connecticut State moves into the championship round and will face the host team at 3:30pm.