Box Score
Box Score

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Junior Eric Anderson had 15 points off the bench Saturday to lead Rensselaer past CCNY, 80-41, in the consolation game of the Williams College Purple & Gold Invitational.  With the victory, RPI head coach Mike Griffin ties the legendary Bill Kalbaugh for the most career wins by a basketball coach.  They both have 297. 

Anderson's (Merrimack, NH/Merrimack) day highlighted a prolific performance by the Red Hawks' bench players and they accounted for 48 of the 80 points and outscored CCNY's bench by 38 points. RPI improved to 5-5 on the season while the Beavers fell to 0-12.

RPI Senior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) scored 12 points on his way to being named to the All-Tournament Team and sophomore guard DJ Blakemore (Bloomfield Township, MI/Lahser) added 10. Preston Uwoghiren led CCNY with 11 points. The Red Hawks shot 50 percent (33 of 66) from the floor in the contest and outrebounded the Beavers, 52-27.

After a back-and-forth first four minutes, RPI settled matters with a 28-0 run that encompassed 11 minutes and 26 seconds and left the Red Hawks leading 34-7 with 5:02 remaining in the half. RPI hit on 13 of its first 17 shots from the floor (74 percent).

The catalysts of the big rig run offensively were Anderson and Blakemore. At one point, Anderson scored 10 of the Red Hawks 12 points, finishing some nice passes from Blakemore and also connecting on two three-pointers. He finished the half with 12 points on perfect 5 of 5 shooting from the floor.

Blakemore was able to consistently beat CCNY's defense off the dribble, and that resulted in three drives to the basket amid traffic. He finished with six points and three assists in the half.

Adding to RPI's dominance was its work on the glass, where the Red Hawks held a 25-10 advantage. Simmons, who also had six points, led the way with five rebounds.