SCHENECTADY, NY -- Senior forward Sam Simmons (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) scored a game high 23 points and posted a double double with 11 rebounds to lead Rensselaer to a 61-50 Liberty League men's basketball win at Union's Viniar Athletic Center Saturday. The Red Hawks snapped a standings tie with the Dutchmen to go 4-3 in the league and 10-8 overall. Union is now 3-4 in the league and 10-7 for the season.

Simmons also had three steals and three assists and had nearly one third of the team's rebounds, as the Red Hawks had a 34-25 advantage on the boards. Sophomore guard Jeremy Bull (Woodbridge, VA/St. Stephens & St. Agnes School) added eight points and junior forward Ricky Philatre (Randolph, MA/Randolph) added nine rebounds. The Red Hawks shot 48% for the game, including 50% in the first half that had produced a 29-29 tie.

Joey Lokitis scored 17 points and dished out four assists for the Dutchmen, who shot 38%. Drew Desmarais scored 11 points and Matt Covucci had a team high six rebounds. 

Union jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first 3:12 of the contest, and led 18-11 with 11:12 left in the first. But the Red Hawks went on a 14-0 run in the next 4:56 for a seven point advantage of their own (25-18). Simmons had three two point buckets in that run. RPI had a 22-6 scoring advantage in the paint in that period.

A Desmarais jumper with 3:45 gone in the second half gave Union a 34-33 lead. But the visitors stormed to a 12-1 run in the next 3:42 for a 45-35 lead. Union got as close as five twice, including 49-44 with 8:37 left, but RPI led by as many as 13 with 1:36 remaining.

Both teams continue Liberty League play in their next outings, as Union hosts Skidmore Tuesday night at 8 p.m. and the Red Hawks host Hamilton next Friday, February 6 at 8 p.m.

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