Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Led by 55.6% shooting from beyond the arc and 56.5% shooting from the field, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team defeated Vassar College, 87-54, in its Liberty League home opener at East Campus Arena. The Engineers improve to 10-3 overall and 2-1 in conference action, while the Brewers drop to 2-11 and 0-3 in the Liberty League.

Rensselaer held a 5-2 lead at the start of the opening half, but Vassar took control, going on a 9-0 run to grab a four point lead (9-5) at the 16:25 mark. The Engineers came roaring back, tying the game at 9-all on a pair of free throws by senior Tim Rupp (Staten Island, NY/Curtis), and an 11-point run ensued over the next two minutes for a 16-9 home team advantage with 14:08 remaining.

The Engineers led by as many as seven (23-16) before the visiting Brewers began to chip away at the deficit, closing the gap to 28-22 at 6:35 on a jumper by sophomore Caleb McGraw (Sitka, AK/Mount Edgecumbe).

Junior Travis Jones (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) helped push RPI ahead further minutes later, nailing a three-pointer and a follow-up bucket for a 33-22 Engineers' lead with 4:30 left.

RPI, which shot 71.4% (5 of 7) from three-point range in the opening stanza, headed intot he half with a 43-28 lead behind points from 10 different players.

The second half of action saw the Engineers carry momentum over from the first half as they pulled out to a 50-28 lead behind a shot from beyond the arc by junior DJ Blakemore (Bloomfield Township, MI/Lahser).

Looking to pull back into the game, McGraw pulled Vassar to within 19 points (52-33) with a jumper and a three-pointer, but RPI responded with a 13-0 run for a 65-33 advantage with 11:10 remaining.

Vassar freshman John Donnelly (Williston, VT/Champlain Valley Union) posted seven straight points for the Brewers, including another three-pointer, to cut the deficit to 74-43 at 6:52, but RPI kept pace at the other end sinking three consecutive shots from beyond the arc, including two by junior Mike Hammond (Clifton Park, NY/Shenedehowa) for an 87-50 with 1:42 remaining.

Pacing the Engineers was Hammond, who posted 12 points, including six from three-point range, and six rebounds. Rupp added 11 points and eight rebounds, while Blakemore had 11 points as well. Junior Rashad Simmons (Valrico, FL/Bloomingdale) added nine points in addition to eight other players collecting at least three points.

Vassar was led by a game-high 20 points from McGraw, who also had six rebounds and an assist and three steals. Donnelly had 13 points with four caroms, while junior Chris Whitney (Wayland, MA/Wayland) and sophomore Ethan Shanley (Old Town, ME/Old Town) had six points apiece.

Rensselaer is back on the court this weekend at Hamilton and Hobart on Friday (8pm) and Saturday (4pm), respectively. Vassar also returns to action on Friday and Saturday at Hobart and Hamilton, respectively.