TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team hit 17 three-point shots and made 48% of its baskets from the field overall in defeating St. Lawrence University, 85-52, in the Liberty League opener for both teams.

The Engineers, who led 36-24 at halftime, came out in the second half and made six quick three-pointers to take command.

Senior Travis Jones (East Greenbush, NY / Columbia), who made three of RPI's early second half treys, led a balanced attack in the game as he scored a team-best 19 points, including five three-pointers – with five rebounds. Classmate DJ Blakemore (Bloomfield Township, MI / Lahser) had 12 points with two rebounds, two assists and a steal, while 11 other players had at least two points for the Engineers, who improve to 7-4 overall.

For St. Lawrence, which is now 4-7, Ralph Temgoua (Paris, France / Deerfield Academy) had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Garrett Sharlow (Massena, NY / Massena) also reached double-digits with 10 points. Janpeter Brase (Lake Wylie, SC / Gaston Day) had five points and 10 rebounds for the visitors.

RPI is back at the East Campus Arena on Saturday afternoon at 4pm when it hosts Clarkson University in a league game. St. Lawrence travels to Vassar College for a Liberty League game at the same time.