After a strong start to its season, the RPI men’s basketball team resumed their schedule and had two games this past week, looking to build on early momentum. On the plate for the Red Hawks was Middlebury College on Thursday and a Saturday afternoon match-up with Connecticut College.
Versus Middlebury, Rensselaer fell behind early. The Panthers built a 10-2 lead and held the Red Hawks scoreless for the first 4:53 minutes of play thanks to a stifling defense. RPI, however, found opportunities and fought back to tie the game at roughly the five-minute mark on a basket by junior Sam Simmons.
Back-to-back three-pointers spoiled the RPI advantage as Middlebury reclaimed the momentum and the lead, 33-28, heading into the half.
When play resumed, both teams continued to battle hard. The quality of play stayed strong and fairly even for the duration of the game. Late in second half after a pair of buckets by freshman Ricky Philatre, it appeared as if RPI was in position to come away with the win. The Panthers cut the lead to five with 35 seconds remaining on the clock, but that would be as close as they would get, as Rensselaer took the game by a final score of 69-64.
Simmons led the way for RPI, tallying 13 points. Senior Neal Wesson added 11 of his own in addition to seven rebounds and five assists. Junior Kris Kowalczyk chipped in with 10 points.
Connecticut College proved to be a worthy opponent for the Red Hawks on Saturday. RPI held the lead in the early going of the first half, going up by as much as nine points at one moment. The Camels, however, made a run of their own, and clung to a five point lead with just over a minute and a half remaining in the half. But Rensselaer would tie the game at 28 after senior Devin Galvin knocked down a pair of free-throws right before the break.
When play resumed, the Camels came out with intensity and grabbed the lead, scoring seven straight points. Play was very evenly matched for the rest of the game, but it was Connecticut College who held the lead for the majority of regulation.
RPI clawed their way back and even took a one point lead on two different occasions, but the Camels would not be denied on this day. Junior Christian Mosley stole the ball and knocked down two free throws on the other end of the court. The turnover proved to be a costly one for the Red Hawks, occurring with just six seconds remaining on the clock, virtually sealing RPI’s fate. Connecticut College took the game by a final score of 59-55.
Three double-digit efforts bolstered the Camel attack. Mosley had 13 points. Junior forward Charles Stone and freshman Steve Weingarte each chipped in with ten of their own. For Rensselaer, Wesson, who was the games high scorer, netted 23 points. Simmons tallied a modest 16 points of his own in conjunction with nine rebounds.
The Red Hawks return to action this Thursday night when they take on Morrisville State at home. Wentworth College will also travel to Troy for a Sunday afternoon game with RPI starting at 3 pm. The men’s record now stands at 4-2 on the season.
