TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team battled to the final possession but fell 57–53 to Vassar in the Liberty League Tournament Championship this afternoon at ECAV Arena. 

Billy Feeks led the Engineers with 12 points, including three second-half three-pointers, while Kellen Driscoll added 11 points and three rebounds. Andrew Deppe and Yechiel Stewart each finished with 10 points, with Deppe also contributing four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and three steals, whioe Stewart secured five boards as well.

The contest featured 12 lead changes and five ties, underscoring the competitive nature of the championship matchup. RPI grabbed early momentum behind interior finishes from Deppe and a three from Driscoll, but Vassar answered with second-chance opportunities and balanced scoring to take a 32–28 edge into halftime. Deppe's late layup in the closing seconds of the first half trimmed the deficit to four and kept the Engineers within striking distance. 

RPI opened the second half with renewed energy, drawing even at 32–32 on back-to-back baskets from Feeks and PJ Scalisi before Feeks drilled a three to give the Engineers a brief 37–35 lead.

Stewart later connected from deep to put RPI back in front at 43–42, and Blake Smith's layup midway through the half nudged the Engineers ahead again as the teams continued to trade blows. 

Vassar responded with a key 8–2 run to build a seven-point cushion at 53–46 with just over five minutes remaining. RPI answered down the stretch, as Deppe converted two free throws and Feeks buried a clutch three-pointer with 1:19 left to cut the margin to 55–53. The Engineers forced a pair of misses on the defensive end, but Vassar secured critical offensive rebounds before sealing the outcome at the line in the final seconds.

The Brewers' 41–28 rebounding advantage and 14 offensive boards proved pivotal in the tightly contested championship tilt. 

RPI finishes the 2025-26 season with an overall record of 21-6.