TROY, N.Y. - Junior Chase Almond scored a career-high 18 points and added 11 rebounds to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team to an 81-61 victory over Berkeley College (NY), this afternoon at East Campus Arena. With the win, the Engineers improve to 1-1 on the season, while the Knights drop to 1-2.

RPI came out firing in the first half, connecting on 7 of 9 three-pointers. Sophomore Nate Kane (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem Central) was a perfect 2 for 2, while senior captain Josh Dugas (Monroe, CT/St. Luke's) and freshman Asa Barnhill (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) were both 2 for 3. 

The game was tightly contested in the early going, but after the visitors drew even at 17-17 with 12:27 to go in the half, the Engineers went on an 8-0 run to take a 25-17 lead. Dugas had a free throw and a three-pointer to start the scoring run.

Rensselaer pushed its advantage to 11 points on two occasions, before settling for a 40-32 lead at the break. The Engineers shot 59.1% from the field in the opening stanza.

AImond then netted 10 of his 18 points in the second half on 4 of 8 shooting. RPI out-rebounded the Knights 18-13 in the final 20 minutes for a 44-32 overall advantage. 

After a lay-up by senior Kenton Chan-Man (Brooklyn, NY/Erasmus Hall) brought Berkeley to within 47-39 with 16:46 to play, a triple and lay-in from Kane and sophomore Jonathan Luster (Essex, CT/ Valley Regional) pushed the RPI lead back to 13 points (52-39).

The Engineers were able to maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the way, thanks in part to junior Brian Hatcher (Danbury, CT/Immaculate), who scored all 11 of his points in the second half. 

Hatcher and Dugas each finished with 11 points, while Kane had nine. Junior Alex Glover Algonquin, IL/H.D. Jacobs), Luster and Barnhill all chipped in with eight points apiece.

RPI is back in action on November 25, when it hosts Sage College at East Campus Arena (8pm).