Box Score |
RPI FanShopPOUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) hit five free throws and forced a pair of turnovers in the final two minutes and the Engineers held on to top Vassar College, 52-47, on Friday evening. RPI finished 7 from 23 from three-point range, led by four triples from senior
Josh Dugas, who tallied a game-high 17 points.
Tied 45-45, Vassar had a chance to take the lead after a steal from Curtis Smith gave the Brewers possession with 1:57 to play in regulation. A turnover on the other end gave the ball right back to the Engineers, and they capitalized when a Dugas jumper in the paint put the visitors ahead, 47-45.
After a Vassar timeout, a three pointer from Erikson Wasyl went off the iron, but senior Luka Ladan gave Vassar another chance with under a minute to play. However, another turnover gave RPI the ball, and the Brewers were forced to foul. Dugas hit one of two from the stripe to extend the lead to 48-45.
Two more freebies from Dugas gave the Engineers a five-point lead, but a layup from Smith kept Vassar only down by three. RPI made the plays it had to down the stretch, converting its free throws while shutting down VC on defense to earn the five-point victory.
RPI took a 23-18 lead into the half by shooting 30.8% from the floor while hitting 5 of 6 free throws. RPI tallied 13 points off turnovers, while VC held a 20-14 edge in points in the paint.
The Engineers (7-17; 3-12 Liberty League), who got 10 points and five rebounds from Chase Almond, closes out the 2014-15 regular season at home on Sunday, hosting Bard College at East Campus Stadium at 4pm.
Both Wasyl and Curtis notched 14 points for the Brewers, but it was not enough as VC ends the season 7-18 and 3-13.
