SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Senior Brian Noone tied for the game-high with 20 points while classmate Mike Manley scored 16 points and dished out a career-best eight assists as the Union College men's basketball team came away with a huge 69-67 victory over Liberty League frontrunner Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Tuesday night at Viniar Athletic Center.
 
Noone hit 9-of-16 shots from the field and also chipped in four rebounds, three assists and two steals to help Union (8-9, 5-6 Liberty League) snap its five-game losing streak. Manley hit all seven attempts from the free throw line on the way to his 16-point effort, while junior Sean Regis provided a big spark off the bench with 13 points and senior Temi George also reached double figures with 10 points to go with five boards.
 
After RPI (15-3, 9-2 Liberty League) jumped out to a 6-2 lead 3:18 into the contest, an 11-4 run gave Union its first lead of the night, as Regis sunk a three to put the home team up 13-10 with 11:52 on the clock. While Union did not make any more long, extended runs in the opening half, the team did not allow the Engineers to score more than three straight points in keeping the momentum on their side. Fifty percent shooting (15 of 30) in the half helped grow the lead to as many as 14 late in the frame before settling into a 34-24 halftime edge.
 
Union started the second half with a 9-2 run to open up a 43-26 lead with 15:50 remaining, the largest lead of the night for the Dutchmen. But the Engineers would not go away, using an 18-8 stretch to get back within seven at 53-46 with 7:46 left. Regis hit a clutch three with under five minutes to go to make it a nine-point game, but RPI crept within four at 63-59 with 1:28 to go.
 
Noone then came up with two big defensive plays, taking a charge on one possession and forcing a steal on the next to keep the home team ahead. From there, Regis and Manley combined to hit all six free throws as the Dutchmen came away with the victory.
 
Union cooled off in the second half, hitting 10-of-28 shots to finish the game at 43.1 percent (25 of 58), while RPI connected on 13-of-25 second-half attempts to finish at 47.8 percent (22 of 46) from the field. But the Dutchman defense combined to force 21 turnovers, which limited RPI's opportunities in the first half and allowed Union to build up a much-needed cushion.
 
Union will look to keep the momentum going this weekend, beginning on Friday with a 7:30 p.m. clash with Ithaca College at Viniar Athletic Center.