POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team built a double-figure halftime cushion with defense and three-point shooting, then held off a late push to defeat Liberty League-leading Vassar, 62–56, on the road this evening.

Billy Feeks led RPI with 16 points, hitting three threes and going 5-for-7 at the line, while PJ Scalisi added 14 points on four triples as the Engineers finished 10-for-27 from deep, including 8-for-15 (53.3%) from downtown after the break.

Andrew Deppe delivered a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double with five assists, and Yechiel Stewart matched Deppe with 12 points plus four assists. 

RPI limited the Brewers to 20.0% shooting in the first half and 33.3% for the game (6-for-28 from three) and edged the glass 35–34 to close out the win against Vassar, who was previously unbeaten in conference play.

RPI set the tone early with a 12–4 start fueled by threes from Feeks and Scalisi and downhill finishes from Deppe and Nate Tawiah-Boateng, taking a 26–16 lead into halftime behind a string of Stewart runouts.

After Vassar opened the second half with a bucket, Deppe answered with a three and free throws to restore separation, Feeks splashed another triple at 14:39, and Scalisi buried back-to-back threes to push the margin to 51–35 with 7:00 remaining. 

The Brewers rallied late behind Shea Fitzgerald to get within four in the final minute, but Stewart and Feeks clinched the win at the free throw line in the closing seconds.

RPI continues its weekend with a 4:00 pm tip at Hobart.