TROY, NY -- Freshman guard Nick DiMaggio (Croton-on-Hudson, NY/Croton-on-Hudson) scored 26 points with five assists and five rebounds to lead Union to a 79-76 men's basketball win at Rensselaer Friday night at Robison Gym. Joe Mackey (Flushing, NY/Archbishop Molloy) scored 14 points and Kyle Grimm (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) added 13 as the Dutchmen improved to 2-0 in the Liberty League (5-7 overall). Rensselaer fell to 7-5 and 0-1.
DiMaggio, who scored 14 in a first half in which the Dutchmen had a 45-40 advantage, made 10 of 14 shots from the floor and four of five from three-point land. This week's Liberty League Rookie of the Week, DiMaggio has 59 points in his last three games and has hit 20 of his last 34 shots (59%).
The Dutchmen were outrebounded, 37-21, but shot a blistering 54% for the night, including a 58% clip in the first half. Sam Simmons led all players with 10 rebounds, and had 14 points, while Clay Hadley scored 16 for the Red Hawks.
With the game tied at 56-56, Union went on a 15-1 run in a span of 5:31 to open up a 14 point lead with 7:59 remaining, (71-57) after a jumper from Joey Lokitis (Norton, MA/Phillips Academy). During that run, Lokitis had five points. But the Red Hawks closed it to within one with a 16-3 run in the next 6:32. But the Red Hawks could not get closer, as the Dutchmen made five free throws in the final 1:23.
RPI shot 49% for the game, and 63% from the line, while the Dutchmen made 12 of 14 free throws for the night (86%). Union made just one turnover in the first half.
The Dutchmen play at Vassar Saturday at 4 p.m.
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