TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team pushed through for their second Liberty League win on Friday night, as they defeated the Skidmore Throughbreds by a final score of 72-41. With the win, RPI improves to 5-6 and 2-2 in league play, while Skidmore fell to 2-8 and 0-4 in the Liberty League.
 
The Engineers started strong, collecting six three-pointers in the first half as they built a lead. Avery Eugster and Dylan Matchett each hit two three-pointers apiece in the opening frame, with Eugster's second one of the half giving RPI their largest lead of the half – 15 points.
 
RPI turned on the jets in the second half, continuing a 30-4 run from the end of the first half that spanned nearly 13 minutes until the 11 minute mark. Over the first nine minutes of the second half, RPI allowed just one field goal – a layup 34 seconds into the half. A pair of free throws at the 11:09 mark for Skidmore broke up the scoring drought for the Throughbreds as the RPI lead stood at 30 points.  
 
The lead for RPI grew to 41 points with 3:36 to play in the game after a free throw from TJ Halloran. That free throw was the last points for the Engineers, as Skidmore finished the game on a 10-0 run over that final 3:36.
 
Jonny Angbazo tossed in 20 points to lead the Engineers offensively, which included a perfect 9-for-9 mark from the free throw line. Eugster added 14 points and six rebounds, while Matchett chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds. RPI fell just short of their season-high from long distance with 12 three-pointers, but collected their best percentage from downtown at 48 percent.
 
RPI returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. when they head west to Rochester to take on RIT in league action.