Box Score
Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Despite 27 points and 11 rebounds from senior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy), Rensselaer was unable to complete a second half comeback and fell to area-rival Union, 68-64, at Robison Gym. With the win, the Dutchmen improve to 14-8 overall and 5-6 in the Liberty League. The Red Hawks move to 11-10 and 5-5 in conference play.

An evenly played first half saw the Red Hawks take a 34-32 lead into the break, thanks to nine points on 3 of 4 shooting from beyond the arc by sophomore Mike Brion (Nashua, NH/Bishop Guertin). Union junior Joey Lokitis (Norton, MA/Phillips Academy) led all first-half scorers with 15 points on 6 of 13 shooting from the floor.

Dutchmen senior Drew Desmarais (St. James, NY/Smithtown) brought the game to a 38-38 tie, just under three minutes into the second half. From there, Union pushed its advantage to much as 10 on two occasions, including a 56-46 lead, on a pair of free throws from sophomore Matt Covucci (LaGrangeville, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) with 12:02 to go in the game.

The Red Hawks slowly cut into the deficit, as Simmons scored six of his 19 second-half points over a span of 3:16 to pull within three (57-54) with 7:45 remaining.

Union quickly pushed their edge back to eight (66-58), on baskets from Lokitis, senior Nick Ciresi (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park) and freshman Rusmir Dzanko (Essex Junction, VT/Essex). That run was answered by three straight RPI scores, concluding with a breakaway lay-in by sophomore DJ Blakmore (Bloomfield Township, MI/Lahser), which cut the Dutchmen lead to just two (66-64) with 1:17 to play.

Rensselaer then had a couple chances to tie the game on inside shot attempts, but could not get the ball to go down. Two free throws from Union senior Steve Madej (Burnt Hills, NY/ Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) sealed victory with less 10 seconds to go.

Simmons double-double moved him into fourth place in the RPI record books with 1,256 points. He also climbed a spot in the rebounding department and now stands in fifth with 636 boards. Also reaching double-figures in points for the Red Hawks were Brion and Blakemore, who had 10 apiece. Junior Ricky Philatre (Randolph, MA/Randolph) recorded eight points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal.

Union had four players reach double-digits in scoring, including Lokitis, who had a team-high 19 points, with three rebounds and a team-best five assists. Madej finished with 12 points, while Desmarais and Ciresi each had 11.

RPI returns to action tomorrow afternoon, when they host Skidmore (4pm). The Dutchmen travel to Poughkeepsie to face Vassar (4pm).