Box Score
Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The MSOE Raiders avenged a loss from four years ago by defeating the RPI Red Hawks 48-45 in the second game of the Engineers Classic. In 2004, RPI won the inaugural event by defeating MSOE 69-64 in the championship game.

The Raiders were led by Junior Center Jeremy Off, scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Also joining in the Raiders balanced offensive and defensive play was Austin Meier and Jamel Sabree. Both players recorded 10 points and six rebounds in the first round Engineering Classic win.

Sam Simmons led RPI in scoring with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Tim Rupp and Rashad Simmons kept RPI in the game by scoring eight and six, respectively. Ricky Philatre gathered seven rebounds for the Red Hawks.

In the first half, RPI controlled the game until Jeremy Off hit a free throw with 1:13 left in the half giving the Raider's 22-21 lead at halftime.

The Raiders never trailed in the second half as they went on a 12-4 run early in the second stanza. The Red Hawks whittled away the Raider's lead, tying the game 34-34 with 9:33 remaining. A three point field goal by senior guard Andy Voigt capped a 11-2 run with 5:28 left in the game, giving the Raiders a 46-37 lead.

The Raiders scored one point in the next four minutes as RPI went on an 8-1 run of their own. RPI's DJ Blakemore fouled Bennett Deacon with 41 seconds remaining. Deacon hit one of two free throws giving MSOE a three-point lead. Simmons grabbed two of his 14 rebounds in the last 41 seconds with Blakemore shooting two more shots, both missing the mark. The Raiders were able to close out the game and advance to the championship final.

Tomorrow's pairings include RPI and Rose Hulman in the consolation game at 12 noon, while host MSOE takes on MIT in the championship game at 2 p.m.