TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team went on a 25-7 run over an eight minute span in the second half to turn a seven-point lead into a 26-point advantage on its way to defeating Vassar College, 70-50, in a Liberty League contest at the East Campus Arena. With the victory the Engineers are now 15-7 overall and 9-3 in the league and clinch a place in the Liberty League Tournament. The Brewers fall to 3-20 and 1-11.

Rensselaer used a big first half from Travis Jones (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) to take control of the game in the early going. A senior guard, Jones had 14 points on 5 of 10 shooting in the opening frame and the Engineers led, 33-22, at the break.

Vassar came out in the second half and got balanced scoring to twice cut its deficit to seven points – the second of which came with 13:47 remaining in the half. It was at that point that RPI regained control behind – in order – two three-pointers from Mike Brion (Nashua, NH/Bishop Guertin), two baskets from Jeremy Bull (Woodbridge, VA/St. Stephens & St. Agnes School) and a pair of three-pointers from Matthew Pooley (Middletown, NY/Chapel Field Christian School). Brion then added a two-point basket and four others had two points apiece for a 66-40 lead with 5:11 left.

Pooley and Jones both finished with game-highs of 14 points, combining to make 6 of 9 from behind the arc. Pooley was 4 for 5, while also collecting a game-high five assists and four steals. Jones was 2 for 4 from three-point range, while grabbing three rebounds. Brion had 10 points and nine others recorded at least two points.

Junior Caleb McGraw (Sitka, AK/Mount Edgecumbe) had 12 points, including 10 in the second half, to lead the Brewers. Nicholas Justiz (Old Westbury, NY/Wheatley) added 10 points with five rebounds and two assists.

RPI and Vassar finish the regular season with games at Liberty League foes Hobart and Hamilton this weekend. The Engineers play the first place Statesmen on Friday at 8pm and the fourth place Continentals on Saturday at 4pm. The Brewers play the opposite teams at the same times.