TROY, N.Y.- The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team improved to 3-0 with a 63-55 non-conference victory in its home-opener against VTSU Castleton this evening in ECAV Arena.

PJ Scalisi scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting to lead the Engineers offensively tonight. 

Avery Eugster and Pat White each contributed 11 points in the victory. The duo helped RPI in more ways than just scoring, as White co-lead the Engineers with five rebounds and Eugster filled the stat sheet with four rebounds, four steals, and three assists.

Andrew Deppe and Dylan Matchett each logged all-around efforts as well. Deppe posted nine points, three boards, and three assists, while Matchett had five rebounds, three helpers, two steals, and two blocks.

Scalisi scored eight of his 15 points in a first half that saw the Engineers take a 33-22 lead into the break after shooting 52.0 percent from the field (13-of-25) throughout the first 20 minutes. Deppe and Yechiel Stewart played a big role in the first half, as the pair scored seven and six points, respectively, in the opening stanza.

The Engineers would maintain their double-digit advantage throughout much of the second half. A 9-0 rally by the Spartans cut the margin to five with two minutes remaining, however RPI would force two turnovers and allow zero field goals in the closing possessions.

Looking ahead, the Engineers will begin Liberty League play at home on Tuesday night with a 6:30 pm meeting against Hobart.