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TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team got a solid effort from its entire roster as eleven different players scored in an 83-69 victory over Sage Colleges at East Campus Arena. It was the season opener for both squads, which saw both teams have three players record double-digit efforts.
It was a back-and-forth battle through the opening eight minutes, but the homestanding Engineers began to pull away at the 11:30 mark on a jumper by freshman Joe Gibbons (Lindenhurst, NY/Saint John the Baptist). That basket was the start of a 13-0 run by Rensselaer over the next 4:20 to pull out to a 19-point lead (35-16) with six minutes remaining in the half.
The Gators tried to cut the deficit, but RPI continued to add to its lead at the other end, holding a 22-point advantage (40-18) on a three-pointer from senior Mike Hammond (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa). The Engineers continued to press late in the half, capitalizing on Sage's 10 turnovers in the frame for a 43-24 lead at the intermission.
RPI went 7 of 15 (46.7%) from 3-point range in the first half, as Jones and senior Andrew Darst (Tampa, FL/Jesuit) each connected on a pair from downtown.
In the second half, the Gators mounted a comeback and cut the RPI lead to 12 (43-31) on a three-pointer from senior Derek Faragon (Rotterdam Junction, NY/Schenectady) at the 17:39 mark. But the Engineers continued to nail their shots at the other end. Faragon hit his second shot from beyond the arc less than a minute later and Sage began to close the gap.
Taking advantage of a number of Engineers' fouls, the Gators capitalized at the free throw line, connecting on 18 of 18 from the charity stripe to cut the lead to just six (54-48) with 13:41 remaining.
Sage would pull the score to 71-63 on a layup by senior Garret Bishop (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga) with 3:21 left in the game, but the Engineers took control, regaining a 16-point advantage behind back-to-back layups and three straight trips to the free throw line.
Leading Rensselaer was sophomore Daniel Martin (Cohasset, MA/Cohasset), who posted a team-high 12 points. Gibbons and junior Matthew Pooley (Middletown, NY/Chapel Field Christian School) each had 10 points, while senior DJ Blakemore (Bloomfield Township, MI/Lahser) posted a game-best eight rebounds.
For Sage, sophomore Marcus Hunter (Ridge, NY/Longwood) recorded a game-best 23 points with five rebounds. Faragon added 17 points and a team-high six boards, while sophomore Jeff Stopera (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville) had 15 points and a game-best six assists.
Rensselaer hosts the ECAV Tip-Off Tournament on Friday and Saturday as the Engineers take on Lyndon State at 8pm on Friday, immediately following the 6pm match between Paul Smith's and Plymouth State. Saturday's consolation/championship games will take place at 2pm and 4pm. Sage travels to Southern Vermont College on Wednesday for an 8pm tilt.
