Box Score
Box Score

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Senior forward Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) scored a game-high 23 points and posted a double-double with 11 rebounds to lead Rensselaer to a 61-50 Liberty League men's basketball win at Union's Viniar Athletic Center on Saturday. The Red Hawks snapped a standings tie with the Dutchmen to go to 4-3 in the league and 10-8 overall. Union is now 3-4 in the league and 10-7 for the season.

Simmons also had three steals and three assists and had nearly one third of the team's rebounds, as the Red Hawks had a 34-25 advantage on the boards. Sophomore guard Jeremy Bull (Woodbridge, VA/St. Stephens & St. Agnes School) added eight points and junior forward Ricky Philatre (Randolph, MA/Randolph) chipped in with nine rebounds. The Red Hawks shot 48% for the game, including 50% in the first half that had produced a 29-29 tie.

Joey Lokitis (Norton, MA/Phillips Academy) scored 17 points and dished out four assists for the Dutchmen, who shot 38%. Drew Desmarais (St. James, NY/Smithtown) scored 11 points and Matt Covucci had a team high six rebounds.

Union jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first 3:12 of the contest, and led 18-11 with 11:12 left in the first. But the Red Hawks went on a 14-0 run in the next 4:56 for a seven point advantage of their own (25-18). Simmons had three two-point buckets in that run.  RPI had a 22-6 scoring advantage in the paint in that period.

A Desmarais jumper with 3:45 gone in the second half gave Union a 34-33 lead. But the visitors stormed to a 12-1 run in the next 3:42 for a 45-35 lead. Union got as close as five twice, including 49-44 with 8:37 left, but RPI led by as many as 13 with 1:36 remaining.

Both teams continue Liberty League play in their next outings, as Union hosts Skidmore on Tuesday night at 8pm and the Red Hawks host Hamilton on Friday, February 6, at 8pm.