MILWAUKEE, WI – In one of the highest scoring games in Caltech history, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute posted a come from behind 106-97 win at the MSOE All Engineers Classic on Sunday afternoon.
It was Caltech's highest single game output since scoring 107 points against Redlands during the 2004-05 season. It was also the highest scoring game in Oliver Eslinger's five season tenure as Caltech's head coach.
The Beavers set a school record for most field goals made in a single game with 36. That mark bests the previous tally of 35 set during the Redlands game eight seasons ago. The 75 field goal attempts also set a new school record, breaking the mark of 72 set 10 seasons ago against Golden State Baptist.
In addition to the shooting records, Caltech set a school record for most steals in a game with 16 to top the previous total of 15 set against La Verne during the 2002-03 season. Individually, Mike Paluchniak's five steals tied a school mark set by three other players.
"I was proud our resiliency and ability to start strong after yesterday's setback," Eslinger commented.
After getting off to a slow start in Saturday's loss to MSOE, Caltech connected on 22 of their 40 first half field goal attempts (55 percent) in taking a 53-44 edge after the first 20 minutes of action. The Beavers were also effective from behind the arc in the opening half by converting on half of their 14 shots from deep.
RPI's offense started to become more effective in the second half while holding the Beavers a little more in check. RPI hit for 20 made field in the second half while holding Caltech to 14. The Engineers also hit more shots from behind the arc (six) than Caltech (four) in the final 20 minutes to aid in their win.
A host of players from both teams scored in double figures. Michael Edwards hit for a game high 30 points on the strength of 12 made field goals; five of which came from behind the arc. Bryan Joel went 6-for-8 from the field during his 17-point performance while Collin Murphy's 10-point afternoon rounded out the Beaver starters with a double figure scoring effort.
Andrew Hogue (13) and Pan Wang (12) came off the bench to aid in the Beavers high scoring effort.
Brandon Farley scored a team high 26 points to pace RPI. The Engineers also had five players score in double figures.
For his efforts over the two-day, four-team event Wang was named to the all-tournament team.