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TROY, N.Y. - Playing the final game of his collegiate career, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) senior Tyler Gendron scored a team-high 21 points to lead the Engineers to a 71-63 victory over Vassar College in the season finale for both teams. RPI concludes the season with a 12-13 overall record and a 6-10 Liberty League record. The Brewers fall to 12-13 and 8-8.

Gendron (Merrimack, NH / Merrimack), who came into the game averaging 10.8 points, made 7 of 10 shots, including 5 of 6 from three-point range, to lead Rensselaer to its second straight victory. He also had six rebounds, three steals, an assist and a block. Eleven of his points came in the second half, during which the Engineers outscored the Brewers, 37-28.

The first half was about as close as it could have been with five ties and seven lead changes, ending with the Brewers holding a 35-34 edge. In the first 20 minutes, RPI made just two more field goals (14-12) with both teams shooting mid-40 percent (45.2% for RPI; 44.4% for Vassar), including four three-point baskets apiece. Vassar had an 18-16 advantage in rebounding, a 5-4 edge in assists and the Brewers made five more (7-2) free throws than the Engineers. 

Gendron had 10 points at the break, while Jesse Browne (Barrington, RI / Deerfield Academy) and Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT / Coginchaug) had 10 points apiece for the visitors.

After Vassar opened the second half with a basket, Rensselaer junior Jonathan Luster (Essex, CT / Valley Regional) finished two layups to give the Engineers a 38-37 lead. Gendron followed with a layup of his own for a 40-37 lead, but Mickey Adams (Boston MA / St. Sebastian's School) made a three-pointer to tie the game. The teams traded baskets before Luster scored from long distance for a 45-42 lead and the Engineers stayed in front the rest of the way. The Brewers pulled to within one point, 57-56, on another Adams hoop with 9:31 to play, but an 11-2 run by RPI - capped by a three-pointer from Gendron - gave the home team a 10-point edge, 68-58, with 5:06 to go.

Joining Gendron in double figures was classmate Chase Almond (South Kingstown, RI / South Kingstown), who had 14 points with seven rebounds. Will Lewis (Potomac, MD / Loomis Chaffee), also a senior, made the only shot he took and he finished with two points. Luster had 15 points, four assists and two blocked shots.

Browne scored a game-high 22 points, along with five rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal while playing all 40 minutes. Adams and Wasyl had 11 points each for Vassar.