TROY, NY - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team advanced to the Liberty League Championship with a 72-64 semifinal victory against Union tonight in ECAV Arena.

Avery Eugster provided a game-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Eugster also topped all players with eight rebounds in the win.

Andrew Deppe scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Dylan Matchett had 13 points and five boards to help the Engineers earn their third appearance in the conference championship in the past five seasons.

The two sides engaged in a tight battle early, as the lead was exchanged nine times and tied on six different occasions through the first 30 minutes

The Engineers pulled ahead for good with 10 minutes left in the second half thanks to a pair of Deppe free throws. RPI would hit five of their next eight shots from from that point to rally for 25 of the next 40 points.

RPI hit all 11 of its free throws in the closing stretch, and knocked down 17-of-20 attempts from the stripe on the night.

Chuck Clemons and Pat White aided the effort with eight points apiece. Deppe dished out a team-high four assists and Matchett led everyone with three steals.

The Engineers will look forward to Sunday's championship, which will feature Ithaca coming to ECAV for a 2:00 pm tip-off.