In Friday’s game the Red Hawks dominated a struggling Hobart team in every aspect of the game.

Rensselaer showed superior skill, strength, and mental discipline, ultimately producing a solid victory.

From the offensive perspective the Red Hawks shot just under 50 percent in the game, handed out 24 assists, grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, and committed only six turnovers en route to an 81 point performance.

Defensively, Rensselaer was excellent in their patented 3-2 zone as the Red Hawks held Hobart to 35 percent shooting and forced them into 12 turnovers.

“Defensively the 3-2 zone has been improving,” Rensselaer Head Coach Mike Griffin said. “The zone fits our personnel well; so as long as we rebound well and stay in the game, we can stay in it.”

Jared Hite played a spectacular game, scoring 25 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. Teammate Paris Moore also delivered for Rensselaer with 18 points while Tom Schneider added 12 and Kori Massey scored 11 and dished out seven assists.

“Paris and Jared are our go-to guys,” Griffin said. “We got the ball to them this weekend and they came through.”

Saturday’s much anticipated match-up with Hamilton did not disappoint as both teams were desperately trying to solidify their hold on first place in the UCAA.

The game was a constant scuffle as both teams exercised a great deal of urgency. The Red Hawks were able to grab hold of the lead in the first half thanks in large part to poor shooting from beyond the three-point line by Hamilton.

Hamilton went 5-21 from three-point range in the first half while Rensselaer shot 48 percent and was able to pull ahead by the minimal margin of 38-33.

However, in the second half, the Continentals slump ended as they began to get some open looks at the basket and connect from long range.

Hamilton shot 35 percent from three-point range in the second as the Rensselaer lead quickly disappeared. RPI hung tough and kept the game close behind the 30 point-15 rebound effort of Hite and the 20 points scored by Moore.

Nevertheless, the Hamilton onslaught of long range bombs proved to be the deciding factor in what was an extremely evenly matched contest. Hamilton and Rensselaer were nearly identical in every major statistical category. The two teams were barely separated in shooting percentage, turnovers, assists, and rebounds.

“We played well this weekend,” Griffin said despite the loss. “We did what we had to do to win. Hamilton just made a few more plays and hit some threes down the stretch and we failed to convert on a couple of chances we had.”

Griffin was particularly pleased with the amount of composure displayed by his team this weekend, especially in the very harsh environment they faced against Hamilton on Saturday.

“We played with a lot of poise versus Hamilton and we came out with the right attitude against Hobart,” Griffin said. “We played very well in the hostile conditions.”

Perhaps the biggest accomplishment this weekend belonged to Hite who combined for 55 points and 30 rebounds in a certain All-UCAA performance this weekend. Over the weekend Hite became only the ninth player in Rensselaer history to score 1000 points in his career and he also reached the second spot on Rensselaer’s all-time rebounding list.

“Jared had a great week,” Griffin said. “I have never had a player play as well on the road in my 20 years at RPI as he did this weekend. He has become a dominating force in the league and I have heard his name being tossed around, and rightfully so, for player of the year.”

Moore was named UCAA Guard of the Week after scoring a combined 38 points in two games.

The Red Hawks are still very much alive in the hunt for the UCAA regular season championship, but are also still in jeopardy of missing the playoffs if they fail to take care of business down the stretch.

Unfortunately RPI failed to do just that as they losts to Vassar 50-46 Tuesday night.

The Red Hawks shot just over 27 percent from the field in the loss and allowed Vassar’s Jud Winton to exploded for 18 points.

Hite played well again for the Red Hawks as he put up another double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kori Massey added 11 points for Rensselaer.

Vassar was previously winless in conference play and the loss drops Rensselaer to 7-5 in UCAA play.

Only the top four teams in the conference make the UCAA Tournament and after this weekend’s action, both 8-4 Clarkson and Hamilton are in a two-way tie for first place.

RPI is now in a three way tie with St. Lawrence, winner of three straight, and rival Union for third place in the UCAA at 7-5. Skidmore is a long shot to make the tourney at 6-6.

With the playoff race being so tight, it is guaranteed that two very deserving teams will be left out of this year’s postseason tournament.

“It is wide open, and it’s exciting,” Griffin said. “We have to treat these games like playoff games, and we are playing two good teams this weekend. This is a very tough league. Everyone can play, and we are just happy to be in the mix. The players are enjoying it.”

Rensselaer will wrap up the UCAA and regular season schedule this weekend.