UTICA, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team came up just short at Utica this afternoon, with the Pioneers holding on for a 82–77 non-conference win. 

PJ Scalisi led RPI with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting (4-of-6 from three), Andrew Deppe added 15 points with two threes and a team-best two steals, and Dylan Matchett supplied 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Despite a 56 shooting percent, the Engineers faced a deficit that reached 12 late in the second half thanks to an equally hot shooting from Utica, who received a game-high 32 points from Jordan Cain.

Trailing 73-61 with eight minutes remaining, RPI rattled off 14 of the of the next 20 points to cut the margin to four with 1:30 to play, however Utica would regroup to close things out in the final stretch.

Yechiel Stewart sparked the bench with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and Billy Feeks chipped in 12 as the Engineers posted 34 points in the paint.

RPI returns home Saturday to host Liberty League rival Bard at ECAV Arena.