ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Senior Dom Black scored 23 points on 8 of 9 shooting and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) outscored Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) by 21 points in the second half on its way to a 74-53 victory to clinch the regular season title in the Liberty League. The Engineers improve to 14-3 in the conference and 20-4 overall with one game remaining in the regular season. They will host the league's semifinals and final next Saturday and Sunday at East Campus Arena. 

The game was tied 29-29 at halftime, but RPI took control by making 20 of 30 second half shots (66.6%) and holding RIT to 30 percent (9 of 30) in the final 20 minutes. 

Black and Jonny Angbazo began the second frame with baskets before Keegan Ocorr countered with a three pointer for the Tigers. Angbazo nailed a triple on the other end and then scored on a finger roll for a 38-32 advantage. A triple by Brian Kelly made it an 8-0 run and a nine-point lead for the visitors. 

After four straight points from the Tigers made it 41-36, Kelly scored on a layup and Black added four points to increase the lead to 47-36. 

With the score at 49-40 midway through the second half, RPI went on an 15-4 stretch over the next three minutes for a 60-42 lead. A three pointer and a dunk by Avery Eugster eventually increased the margin to 21 points (65-44) with 4:28 to play and the Engineers were not challenged from that point.

Black, a guard, had 18 points from the floor and he made each of his five free throws for game-high honors. He also had four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Angbazo finished with 17 points, four rebounds and three assists and Mason Memmelaar recorded a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. Eugster scored nine points with four rebounds off the bench.

Andrew Fox and Kenny Wilburn both had eight points for the Tigers, who drop to 7-14 and 5-10.

The Engineers close out the regular season on Saturday at Hobart College, while RIT hosts Bard College on Saturday. Both games begin at 4pm.