The visiting Ephs held a 34-30 lead at halftime before connecting on 54.2% of their shots in the second half, including 57.1% from three-point range, while holding RPI to 29.4% to pull away for the 11-point victory.
Guards Casey Gibbons (Weston, MA) and Chris Shalvoy (Rochester, NY) led Williams with 17 points apiece. Gibbons, a senior, also had five rebounds (0 offensive), seven assists and no turnovers in 40 minutes while Shalvoy, a sophomore, had one rebound (0 off.), six assists and a steal in 37 minutes. He turned the ball over twice. Recording double-doubles for the Ephs were sophomore forward Chris Rose (Middletown, NY), who had 13 points and 10 rebounds (2 off.) and senior forward Andrew Newton (Whitinsville, MA), who had 11 points and 10 rebounds (4 off.). Rose also chipped in with four assists, a block and a steal while Newton had an assist, two blocks and two steals.
Rensselaer senior forward Tom Schneider (Nashua, NH/Bishop Guertin) had a double-double of his own, scoring 16 points with 14 rebounds, including eight offensive. He also had two assists and a steal in 37 minutes. Senior guard Neal Wesson (Portsmouth, RI/Portsmouth) and sophomore forward Graham Gordon (Mount Vernon, NY/Iona Prep) both added 13 points for the Red Hawks.
RPI returns to action on Wednesday night when they travel to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for a non-league game (6:30pm). Williams hosts Westfield St. on Tuesday night at 7:30pm in a non-league affair.