Rensselaer came out with great intensity and played stifling team defense for most of the game. The lone Clarkson threat came when the Red Hawks were up 7 in the early going when Clarkson’s Nick Redhead hit several 3-pointers and put the Golden Knights up.

The Red Hawks rallied however, and simply shut down the Golden Knights for the rest of the day. In addition, the offense moved the ball well and shot over 50 percent for the game. Perhaps the best play from the offense was when Tri-Captain Tom Carrk drove the baseline and floated the ball up near the rim. Forward Kahlil Fitzgerald leaped up and threw down a rim-rocking two-hand jam that sent the crowd at the Armory into a frenzy.

For the day, Forward Doug Ullrich finished with 16 points and eight boards. Guard Justin Leonard hit for 11, including three of four from beyond the arch.

On Saturday, the Red Hawks took on the Saints of St. Lawrence. After spotting the Saints a 7-point lead in the opening moments, Rensselaer battled back to lead by as many as 8 points before losing a heartbreaker 80-78.

The Red Hawks, who had been swept in their trip to the North Country, wanted to complete a home sweep and to avenge a particularly embarassing loss to the Saints.

After allowing the Saints to build a 9-2 lead, the Red Hawks rallied and began to make some defensive stops. The game would remain close throughout the first half, with the lead changing hands several times. As the half closed, the Red Hawks converted on a last-second play to take a 38-37 lead at the half.

In the second, the Red Hawks seemed to have gained momentum, as they went up 7 points on several occasions, including one that was keyed by the jump shots of Forward Kyle Kornelis and another that came when Pierce was intentionally fouled on a fast break. But Rensselaer kept allowing the Saints to drive to the basket, creating several easy basket opportunities. Down the stretch the two teams traded the lead again, with the Red Hawks getting clutch three-pointers from Guard Bobby Hurley and a shot clock buzzer-beater from Guard Darryl Gentry.

In the final minute, with the score tied, the Red Hawks had the ball with the chance to take the lead. After missing the first shot, Rensselaer got the offensive rebound, but turned the ball over.

With the clock running down, the Saints’ Nick Burkhard drove the middle and dished to Rock Batitstoni who missed a lay-up, but was fouled. Batitstoni converted both shots with just 2.6 seconds showing on the clock. The Red Hawks got off a buzzer-beater but it missed.

Gentry finished with 17 points on five of six shooting and also added seven boards. Pierce hit eight of 10 free throws to finish with 16 points. Hurley added 10 points and six assists and Leonard added 11 points.