ITHACA, N.Y. - Graduate student Dom Black scored 14 points with nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three blocked shots - all team-highs - and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's basketball team allowed only 44 points in defeating Ithaca College 49-44 in the Liberty League Tournament Semifinals at Ben Light Gymnasium. The Engineers, the No. 4 seed, improves to 19-8 and advances to Sunday's final at No. 2 seed St. Lawrence University. The No. 1 seeded Bombers fall to 18-8.

The 44 points allowed by RPI matches its best defensive effort of 2022-23 after holding Bard College to 44 points twice during the regular season. Rensselaer entered the game ranked fifth in Division III in points allowed (57.8 per game), while Ithaca averaged 77.0 points per contest. 

The Engineers held their host to 26.2 percent shooting from the field (16 of 61), including 3 of 29 (10.3%) from behind the three point line. On the other end, RPI had one fewer basket, shooting 15 of 43 (34.9%) but it made 8 of 19 (42.1%) from behind the arc. 

Black, a guard who earned Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 (2023 has yet to be announced), was the catalyst on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he helped hold Ithaca's top two scorers to a combined 15 points, well below their combined average of 32.5 points per game, with his three steals and three blocks. Offensively, he three field goals (2 treys) and six free throws. 

Jonny Angbazo, a senior forward, contributed 12 points and nine rebounds for Rensselaer, which led for 91.0 percent of the game. He added three assists, two steals, and a block, while Brian Kelly, also a senior, had nine points on three baskets from three point range.

Kelly's first triple and a layup from Angbazo gave the visitors a 9-2 lead five minutes into the game before the Bombers cut it to 9-8 at the 11:10 mark. Black answered with two from the free throw line and Avery Eugster hit a three for a 14-8 lead and Angbazo made it 16-10 with a layup with five minutes to play in the first half. RPI's lead ballooned to 21-12 with 2:17 to go and the half ended at 26-17 in favor of the Engineers.

They maintained their lead until 4:06 was left in the second half as Ithaca used a 7-0 run to tie the score at 41-41 and then extended the string to 10 points with an and-1 by Tristan Wennersten with 3:23 showing on the clock. Chuck Clemons answered with a triple from the top of the key - his first points of the night - to tie the game and following four blocks on the ensuing possessions, Clemons nailed to free throws for a 46-44 lead with 1:39 left. 

Two missed threes by Ithaca eventually led to another free throw from Clemons for a 47-44 lead and Black followed to make it 48-44 with 10 seconds left. Angbazo added the final point with five seconds to play. 

Logan Wendell, who averaged 14.5 points per game heading into the game, led the Bombers with nine points. Liam Spellman had 10 rebounds in the loss.