POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Sophomore guard Dom Black registered team-highs of 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team to its 14th straight win, 59-56 over Vassar College. The first place Engineers move to 9-0 in the Liberty League and 14-2 overall, while the Brewers drop to 2-7 and 6-10.

After fighting back from an 8-point first half deficit, Rensselaer held the lead throughout the second half, building it to as many as 13 points five minutes in. Fourteen minutes later, the margin was 10 points, 58-48, before Vassar scored eight straight points to make it a two-point contest with just over a minute to play. 

Rensselaer missed a three-pointer with under a minute to play and the Brewers gained possession on a defensive rebound. Following a timeout with 18 seconds left, Vassar got a shot off with three to play, but it was missed and rebounded by Black, who was immediately fouled. He made the first free throw for a 59-56 lead and the Brewers were unable to convert off a defensive rebound and a timeout. 

Black helped RPI to its first half comeback by scoring 15 points on 7 of 8 shooting in the initial 20 minutes. He added three points and five rebounds in the second half. Junior Patrick Mahoney tallied eight second half points and finished with 14, along with four rebounds and three steals. No one else reached double digits for the Engineers, who managed to make only two three-pointers (2 for 13).

The Brewers, who were forced into 20 turnovers with the help of 11 Rensselaer steals, were led by Lance Tebay and Avni Mustafaj's 12 points apiece. Kevin McAuliffe added 11 points.

Vassar is back at home on Saturday at 4pm when it hosts Bard College. RPI travels to second place Ithaca College on Saturday at 4pm. Both contests are Liberty League games.