Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Senior guard Tim Edwards posted a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds and three other players added double-digits in points to lead seventh-ranked Middlebury College to a 63-52 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in non-conference action at East Campus Arena. The Engineers fall to 6-2 on the season, seeing their four-game win streak snapped. The Panthers remain undefeated with an 8-0 record.

The Panthers opened up strong in the first half, going on a 17-0 run through the first eight minutes of the contest. Powering the way was freshman guard Nolan Thompson (Akron, OH/University School), who had six points, including a three-pointer, during the run.

Rensselaer finally found its way onto the scoreboard at 11:32 on a jumper by senior guard Eric Anderson (Merrimack, NH/Merrimack). Junior guard DJ Blakemore (Bloomfield Township, MI/Lahser) added another two points just seconds later to pull it to 17-4 with 11:03 remaining.

The Engineers established momentum over the remaining minutes, pulling to within eight points (28-20) at the halftime. Blakemore led the way for RPI, posting eight points, while Edwards (Greenwich, CT/Brunswick School) had seven points and six rebounds to pace the Panthers through the first 20 minutes of play.

Middlebury continued to press in the second half, maintaining a double-digit lead through the first three minutes of action. Rensselaer cut the deficit to six (34-28) on four consecutive free throw shots by Anderson, but a three-pointer by Edwards extended the Panthers lead back to nine (37-28) with 14:08 remaining.

The home team got as close as 40-36 with eight minutes remaining as Blakemore drained a layup, but the momentum swung toward the favor of Middlebury, which went on a 10-1 run for a 50-39 lead with 4:37 left in the contest.

Late in the game, the Engineers tried to put on the pressure, but were forced to foul the Panthers, which gained six points in the final minute from the charity stripe, shooting 57.9% from the line for the game.

In addition to Edwards, who had a game-best five assists and two steals, Middlebury saw sophomore forward Ryan Sharry (Braintree, MA/BC HS) added 14 points and seven boards. Thompson and freshman guard Jake Wolfin (Woodcliff Lake, NH/Pascack Hills) each contributed 10 points.

For Rensselaer, junior guard Jeremy Bull (Woodbridge, VA/St. Stephens & St. Agnes School) had a team-high 15 points. Blakemore and Anderson each had 10 points, while senior forward #Ricky Philatre3 (Randolph, MA/Randolph) had 11 rebounds.

The Engineers return to action on Tuesday with a contest at Wentworth Institute of Technology (7pm). Middlebury is in action on Saturday, hosting Hamilton (4pm).