RPI, which shot 49.1%, improved to 7-4 despite a 29-point, 23-rebound effort from SVC junior Nick Harrington (Brooklyn, NY/Grady). The visiting Mountaineers fall to 4-6.
Southern Vermont opened the second half with a 9-2 run to take a five-point lead (37-32) but Rensselaer outscored the Mountaineers, 42-25, over the final 13 minutes for the 12 point win. The Red Hawks held SVC off the scoreboard for almost six minutes in that span.
Junior Sam Simmons (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) led RPI with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, including four offensive. He also had three assists and a steal in 23 minutes. Senior guard Neal Wesson (Portsmouth, RI/Portsmouth) and junior forward Graham Gordon (Mt. Vernon, NY/Iona Prep) both had 12 points while senior forward Clay Hadley (LaGrange, IL/Lyons Township) added 10 points.
Harrington led the Mountaineers on 13-of-17 shooting from the field and 3-for-5 from the foul line. He also had a game-high four steals in 36 minutes. Sophomore guard Julian Smith (Waterbury, CT/S. Plains CC) had 15 points and freshman guard Albrey Kirkland (Flint, MI/Central) recorded 12 points.
Rensselaer returns to the court on Friday night at 8pm against Union College in a Liberty League contest. Southern Vermont next plays on Tuesday night when it hosts Norwich University at 7pm.