UTICA, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team was defeated by Connecticut College by a final score of 68-52 in the first day of the Utica University Classic on Friday evening. The loss moves RPI to 3-6 overall, while Connecticut moves to 9-2 overall.
 
The Engineers started well, opening a 7-2 lead in the opening four minutes as a three-pointer from freshman Andrew Deppe gave RPI the five-point lead. From that point, the Camels turned on the scoring and opened up a 19-point lead by the halfway point as the RPI offense went cold.
 
Connecticut's lead grew to as much as 25 with 14:39 remaining in the second half before the Engineers locked in on defense and gained back ground. In the second half, RPI held the Camels to just 10 field goals as the Engineers were able to get to free throw line with more frequency as well. RPI cut the lead to 16 before the final buzzer.
 
Jonny Angbazo and Dylan Matchett each collected eight points to lead the offense, while Elias Espinosa turned in a 24-point performance for the Camels on 6-for-12 shooting from behind the three-point line. Espinosa added six rebounds, and David Murray finished just shy of a double-double for Connecticut with 10 points and eight rebounds.
 
The Engineers return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. when they face Colby-Sawyer College in the consolation game of the Utica University Classic.