Box Score

HARTFORD, Conn. – Backed by a game-high 22 points from senior forward Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) defeated Maine Maritime, 80-72, in the consolation game of the Trinity College Tournament. The Red Hawks improve to 4-6 overall while the Mariners drop to 3-6.

After an early back-and-forth battle to get things started, Rensselaer began to build up a lead, going up by eight points (17-9) on a three-pointer by Sam Zullo (Indian Lake, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) with 11:58 remaining.

Zullo, who went 2-of-3 from three-point range in the first half and 3-of-5 in the game, made it a 22-17 RPI advantage at the 8:05 mark. Maine Maritime, which saw junior Derek DiFrederico (Millinocket, ME) lead all scorers in the first-half with 10 points, tied things up at 30-all with five minutes remaining. But successful jump shots by freshman Jeremy Bull (Woodbridge, VA/St. Stephens & St. Agnes School) and Zullo sent the Red Hawks to the locker room with a 34-30 lead.

Simmons, who scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half, gave Rensselaer a ten-point lead at 15:17 (53-43) of the second stanza and then made it a 12-point differential minutes later.

Senior Kris Kowalczyk (Troy, NY/Colonie), who nailed 4 of 6 three-pointers to help RPI shot 57.9% from beyond the arc, made it an 80-65 advantage with 2:14 left. DiFrederico tried to bring the Mariners back, sinking in two free throws and a layup in the closing seconds, but it wasn’t enough.

In addition to Simmons, who also had nine rebounds and four assists, Kowalczyk finished with 12 points and three assists. Zullo also added 12 points and four assists while senior Devin Galvin (Newburyport, MA/Newburyport) chipped in 11 points.

For Maine Maritime, DiFrederico poured in 18 points, five rebounds and a game-high six assists. Freshman Michael Wharff (Sangerville, ME) had 16 points and senior Neil Stewart (Rangeley, ME) posted 14 points and seven assists.

Rensselaer, which snapped a three-game losing streak in the victory, returns to action next Sunday when it hosts Southern Vermont at Robison Gym. Tip-off is set for 2pm and live stats will be available at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/rpi/mbball/xlive.htm.  Maine Maritime is back on the court on Tuesday hosting Colby College at 7pm.