COLLEGE BASKETBALL: RPI tops SUNY Cobleskill in local hoops matchup

TROY, N.Y. — The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s basketball team returned to their winning ways on Sunday afternoon, as the Engineers defeated SUNY Cobleskill by a final score of 65-55 at EVAC Arena. With the win, RPI improved to 2-3 overall, while Cobleskill fell to 3-4 overall.

The first half was closely contested, as the score stood 22-22 with 4:44 to play in the opening half after a fast-break layup from Cobleskill’s Kobe Long. From that point, the Engineers used a 14-2 run to end the half, going up by their largest lead of the day at that point at 12 points.

During the first six minutes of the second half, Cobleskill chipped away and shrunk the Engineers’ lead to just six points. However, a bucket from freshman Andrew Deppe broke the streak and led to another double-digit lead for RPI as a layup by Ben Eugster minutes later gave RPI a 15-point lead, 49-34.

Cobleskill battled their way back to within six once again, lastly getting to that number with 2:20 to play. However, in RPI’s ensuing possession, Jonny Angbazo stopped the Cobleskill momentum with a layup to move the lead back to eight. The lead was too much for Cobleskill, as RPI came out with the 10-point win.

Angbazo finished the game with a game-high 26 points, while Avery Eugster and Dylan Matchett each finished with 11 points apiece. Eugster added 10 rebounds for a double-double, while freshman guard PJ Scalisi matched him in rebounds with 10.

For Cobleskill, Long put in 21 points while Rosario added 20 as the duo combined for 41 of the team’s 55 points on the afternoon.

RPI returns to action on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. when they take on St. Lawrence for their first Liberty League matchup of the season.