Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Senior Matt Pooley netted a team-best 19 points to lead the Rensselaer men's basketball team to a 104-93 victory over RIT, in the Liberty League opener for both teams at East Campus Arena. With the win, the Engineers improve to 4-5 overall (1-0 Liberty), while the Tigers fall to 4-6 (0-1 Liberty).

Rensselaer connected on 35.9% (14 of 39) three-point attempts and forced 20 RIT turnovers en route to scoring 100 or more points for the third time in the last four games. Pooley (Middletown, NY/Chapel Field Christian School) was aided by 17 and 12 points, respectively, from juniors Redon Qello (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) and Brendan Farley (Burlington, MA/Burlington).

The Engineers built a nine-point advantage (23-14) seven minutes into the contest, which they never relinquished. A Pooley three with 5:14 remaining the first half, pushed the host's edge to 42-32. Two possessions later junior Jamie Zajac (Merrimack, NH/Bishop Guertin) sank a lay-up for an 11-point lead.

A late first-half run by the Tigers, capped by a three-pointer by junior Gabe Nicasio (Essex Junction, VT/Essex) pulled RIT to within two points (49-47), but Rensselaer quickly answered with back-to-back threes in the final minute for a 55-47 halftime edge.

Pooley finished at the rim to give RPI a 12-point lead early in the second, before the Tigers rallied. Junior Nick Dobson (Corning, NY/Corning West) brought the visitors to within three (71-68) with 12:28 left in the game.

Three-point baskets from sophomore Pat Harrington (Northampton, MA/Northampton) and Zajac pushed the RPI advantage back to double-digits (80-70), and it grew to as many as 15-points 4:30 remaining.

RIT drew to within six (99-93) with 1:18 to play, but Zajac knocked down 3 of 4 free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

The Engineers return to action tomorrow afternoon, when they host St. Lawrence at East Campus Arena (4pm). RIT visits Skidmore (4pm).