Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer men’s basketball team gave up just 16 first half points on their way to defeating Clarkson, 63-49 tonight at Robison Gym. With the victory the Red Hawks improve to 11-13 on the year, including 6-7 in Liberty League play. The Golden Knights are now 9-15 overall and 7-6 in the conference.

RPI used a strong defensive effort in the first half, and held Clarkson to 24.1% (7 for 29) shooting from the floor.

Ricky Philatre (Randolph, MA/Randolph) made a jumper in the lane at 6:43 of the first to give the Red Hawks an early ten point lead of 20-10.

Rensselaer, which led by as many as 12 points in the opening stanza, scored the final basket of the half, when Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh) finished a lay-up underneath the hoop. The Red Hawks took a 28-16 lead into the locker room.

Golden Knights’ forward Ryan Smith scored six of his teams 16 first half points, while grabbing a team-high five rebounds. Simmons led the Red Hawks in the first half with eight points and 11 boards.

Led by a barrage of three-pointers by Brian Salanger (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) and Heath Murray (Queens, NY/St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy) Clarkson opened the second half with a 17-5 run, which tied the game at 33 with 13:09 to play.

The two teams then went back and forth as the lead changed hands four times in the next five minutes. A Sam Zullo (Indian Lake, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) jump shot with 9:08 remaining put the Red Hawks in front, 41-40. A lead they did not relinquish.

Simmons carried RPI the rest of the way, on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. He finished with 18 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. Sophomore Tim Rupp (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) added a season-high 17 points, while picking up six rebounds for the Red Hawks, who shot 75% (12-16) from the free-throw line in the second half.

Leading the way for Clarkson was sophomore guard Brandon Linton (Queens, NY/Holy Cross) and Murray, who each finished with 11 points. Murray also grabbed nine rebounds before fouling out with 1:07 left. Smith ended up with ten points and eight rebounds.

The Red Hawks return to action tomorrow afternoon (4pm), where they will take on the Saints of St. Lawrence University. The Golden Knights head to Vassar to take on the Brewers (4pm).  RPI is still in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff berth in the upcoming Liberty League Playoffs.  For Rensselaer to secure the #4 bid, it needs to defeat the Saints and have Vassar get the win over Clarkson.