POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 20, 2015) – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute hit five free throws and forced a pair of turnovers in the final two minutes, as the Engineers held on top Vassar 52-47 Friday evening. RPI finished 7-23 from deep, led by four triples from senior Josh Dugas who tallied a game-high 17 points. Both junior Erikson Wasyl (Durham, CT/Coginchaug) and senior Curtis Smith (Mastic, NY/Eastport South Manor) notched 14 points for the Brewers, but it was not enough as VC ends the season 7-18 and 3-13 in the Liberty League. RPI will go into its final game of the year 7-17 (3-12 LL).

Tied 45-45, Vassar had a chance to take the lead after a steal form Smith gave VC possession with 1:57 to play in regulation. A turnover on the other end gave the ball right back to the Engineers, and they capitalized as a Dugas jumper in the paint put the visitors ahead 47-45.

After a Vassar timeout, a three pointer from Wasyl went off the iron, but senior Luka Ladan (Belmont, MA/Belmont) gave Vassar another chance with under a minute to play. Another importune turnover gave RPI the ball, and the Brewers were forced to foul as Dugas hit 1-2 from the charity stripe to extend the lead to 48-45.

Two more freebies from Dugas gave the Engineers a five-point lead, but a layup from Smith kept Vassar alive only down three. RPI made the plays it had to down the stretch, converting its free throws while shutting down VC on defense to earn the five-point victory.

The Brewers outshot RPI 48.0% in the second half, but committed eight turnovers to their counterpart's eight. RPI took a 23-18 lead into the half shooting 30.8% from the floor while hitting 5-6 free throws. RPI tallied 13 points off turnovers, while VC held a 20-14 edge with points in the paint.

The Brewers will graduate five seniors from this year's squad, but are set to return five upperclassmen and strong sophomore core for the 2015-16 season.

--VASSAR--