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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Sophomore forward Andreas Kontopidis scored a game-high 24 points and completed a double-double with 11 rebounds to lead Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to an 80-62 Liberty League triumph at Union College's Viniar Athletic Center on Friday night. The Engineers improved to 6-7 in the Liberty League and 12-10 overall, while the host Dutchmen are 8-5 in the league and 12-9 for the season.

Tom Horvat, also a sophomore, scored 20 points off the RPI bench, making eight of 11 shots, Brian Hatcher tallied 13 and Jonathan Luster scored 12. RPI had a slight 37-32 rebounding average and shot 54% for the game, including 56% in the first half. RPI also made 57% of the three point attempts.

Deshon Burgess led Union with 18 points and Greg King had 14 with eight rebounds for the Dutchmen. Zachary Bouton added 11, hitting seven free throws, while adding three assists. Union shot 37% for the night but shot 21% in 24 three point attempts.

With the game tied at 3-3, RPI went on a 17-7 run 8:06 for a 20-10 lead, the largest advantage of the half. The Engineers took a 34-27 lead into the locker room, making 14 of 25 shots and forcing 10 turnovers. Kontopidis had 15 points in the first 20 minutes.

Union chipped away in the early going of the second half, as a three pointer by King 3:20 into the second half pulled Union to within three at 40-37. He also made it a three point game again at 43-40 with 15:23 left. But that was the closest the Dutchmen would come the rest of the way, as over the next 6:54 the Engineers went on a 17-10 run featuring seven points by Luster and six by Horvat. The lead continued to grow and got as large as 20 with 1:17 left on a Horvat three pointer.