Box Score
Game Program

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 15, 2013) – Rensselaer, the Liberty League's highest scoring team, jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the game's first 2:55, and kept its frenetic offensive attack in high gear throughout, en route to an 86-72 victory over the Vassar College men's basketball team in Liberty League action on Tuesday night at the Athletics & Fitness Center.

The 14-0 deficit was difficult for the Brewers to overcome against a full-fledged attack by the Engineers. RPI utilized its entire 18-player roster in a pressing, harassing game that caused 28 Vassar turnovers, culminating in 28 points. The Brewers remained active against RPI up-tempo style, particularly in the second half when Vassar was only outscored 45-43.

In defeat, Vassar got a career-high 27 points from junior John Donnelly and a career best 16 points from freshman Erikson Wasyl in 24 minutes of action. Both Donnelly and Wasyl came off the Vassar bench to help the Brewers outscore the RPI reserves 56-31.

The loss drops Vassar to 5-8, 1-3 in the Liberty League. RPI improves to 8-6, 3-3. Vassar next hosts Skidmore on Friday, January 18 at 8:00 p.m. RPI remains idle until hosting Bard on January 22 at 8:00 p.m.

RPI's 14-0 run was spearhead by junior guard Pat Harrington who connected on back-to-back 3-pointers and had eight points in the first three minutes of the game.

For the first ten minutes of game, Vassar kept the margin in striking distance, but a jumper by freshman forward Brian Hatcher with 8:36 until intermission pushed RPI ahead 27-10 and at the five minute mark, the Engineers had built a comfortable 38-18 lead. Vassar cut the lead to 38-23 at intermission following a layup by Donnelly.

Throughout the second half, the teams traded baskets. Outside of the final score, Vassar got within 14 points on three occasions. The last time came at the 14:49 mark after sophomore Jon Safir made a layup, reducing the margin to 50-36.

RPI built its lead to 21 points (59-38) after free throws by senior guard Jamie Zajac at the 12:52 juncture. The Engineers maintained a sizeable leading, lading 79-54 at the 5:53 mark following a 3-pointer from freshman forward Tyler Gendron.

Along with his 27 points, Donnelly added seven rebounds. Sophomore center Alex Snyder had eight rebounds for the Brewers.

RPI placed four players in double figures, led by 13 points and seven rebounds from senior forward Daniel Martin who was 5 of 6 from the field for an Engineer team that shot nearly 50 percent for the game.